On February 2, Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Tech Center welcomed talented high school students for the SkillsUSA 2026 Indiana Regional High School Competition in Robotics and Automation.

We hosted 10 students competing as five teams of two, representing DeKalb High School and Impact Institute. Over the course of a fast-paced, four-hour competition window, students rose to the challenge by reviewing detailed requirements, collaborating under pressure, and completing complex technical tasks that mirror real-world automation work.

During the event, teams:

• Wired components to a PLC system
• Developed PLC programs to operate a conveyor system
• Implemented a vision camera for quality control
• Built an impressive and challenging pick-and-place robotic program

It was exciting to see how quickly students adapted, problem-solved, and worked together—skills that translate directly into careers in automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Thank You to Our Partners

A special thank you to the high school instructors who invest time and energy into encouraging students and preparing them for technical careers.

We also want to recognize the professionals who made this event possible. We were grateful to have four judges volunteer their time, equipment, and expertise from:

• APT Manufacturing
• Compete Controls Group
• ifm efector
• Kendall Electric

Their support helped ensure the competition was both rigorous and meaningful—and provided students with feedback grounded in industry expectations.

Hosting events like SkillsUSA is one more way Ivy Tech Fort Wayne connects education and industry, supports regional talent, and helps students envision what’s possible in high-demand career pathways.