SkillsUSA Names Florida Carpentry Champion to 2026 WorldSkills USA Team

SkillsUSA Contact:
Clare Briner
cbriner@skillsusa.org

22-year-old Jacksonville business owner to represent U.S. in international competition

LEESBURG, VA – April 30, 2026 – SkillsUSA has selected Tristan Coates, of Jacksonville, Florida, as the official U.S. competitor for Carpentry at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition. This prestigious international skills competition, often referred to as the “Olympics of skilled trades,” will be held Sept. 22 -27, 2026, in Shanghai, China.

Coates is a past national champion for Carpentry and a SkillsUSA Florida state champion. Since high school, the now 22-year-old has been growing his own business, Coates Builder Improvements.

“SkillsUSA has pushed me to a higher standard,” he said. “It’s not just about knowing how to build—it’s about precision, efficiency, safety, and professionalism under pressure. Competing has taught me how to stay focused, manage time, and execute at a high level even in stressful situations. Now running a business, it’s like second nature, problem-solving daily and quickly, in every aspect.”

Coates is eager to compete internationally at the highest level of the trade and will use the opportunity to grow, sharpen his skills and learn from other countries.

“You’re going up against the best in the world, and that’s where you really find out what you’re made of,” he said. “I don’t just want to be good locally or nationally—I want to represent my skills against the top craftspeople globally.”

Coates said he’s honored to be named to the U.S. team for WorldSkills.

“It’s not just about me—it’s about representing my community, my team, and the trades as a whole,” he said. “I take that responsibility seriously, and I’m proud to show what American craftsmanship looks like on an international level.”

Between now and September, Coates will train to refine fundamentals like layout, framing accuracy, and finish work, while also practicing competition-style builds under timed conditions. He also will study the technical side of the competition, like codes, measurements and problem-solving, to ensure he’s fully prepared for whatever the competition will entail.

Coates’ expert for WorldSkills is Boyd Worsham, CEO of the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). Coates’ participation in the 2026 WorldSkills is supported by DEWALT and NCCER.

Carpentry is the eighth competition in which the U.S. delegation will compete during WorldSkills. WorldSkills brings together young people, industry, education, and government leaders from around the world to advance career and technical education and training. Competitors vie for international honors in skill competitions, showcasing dozens of trade skills.

SkillsUSA already has named competitors in Welding, CNC Milling, Mechatronics, Automobile Technology, Plumbing and Heating, Cooking and Heavy Vehicle Technology. SkillsUSA will assemble the WorldSkills USA team, its experts and sponsors during the National Leadership & Skills Conference June 1-5 in Atlanta.

To support the WorldSkills USA team, donate at worldskillsusa.org/donate.

About WorldSkills USA

SkillsUSA serves as the official U.S. representative to WorldSkills International, a global organization focused on elevating the visibility and recognition of skilled professionals. Under the name WorldSkills USA, SkillsUSA represents the United States in WorldSkills competitions. SkillsUSA (then known as VICA) was designated in 1973, and the U.S. first participated in the WorldSkills Competition in 1975.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

About WorldSkills

Since 1950, WorldSkills has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. It provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft skills, along with newer technology’s multi-skilled occupations, make an essential contribution to the economic and social well-being of people everywhere. For more information, go to: www.worldskills.org.