Trade Wars 2026 Kicks Off With Strong Turnout, Healthcare Competition Still Ahead

Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) proudly launched its second annual Trade Wars 2026 competition series with an exciting and high-energy Manufacturing and Professional Skills event, welcoming over 100 high school students from across the region.

The event brought together talented students to compete in a variety of hands-on, real-world skill challenges, showcasing their abilities in areas such as automotive, diesel, machining, industrial maintenance, mathematics, criminal justice, visual arts, and more. Throughout the day, students demonstrated not only technical expertise, but also problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity—skills that are critical in today’s workforce.

Trade Wars continues to grow as a signature event for OCTC, connecting education with industry and giving students a unique opportunity to explore career pathways in high-demand fields. Events like these highlight the importance of career and technical education while building confidence and excitement for students’ futures.

One of the most impactful aspects of Trade Wars is that students are able to participate at no cost, thanks to the generous support of community and industry sponsors. Their investment helps remove barriers and ensures more students can experience hands-on career exploration in a supportive and engaging environment.

Healthcare Competition Still Ahead
The excitement isn’t over yet. The Healthcare Careers session of Trade Wars 2026 is scheduled for Friday, April 17, and will feature competitions in healthcare-related fields, giving students another opportunity to explore critical and growing career areas.

To allow more students to participate, the registration deadline has been extended to April 10, 2026.

OCTC encourages interested schools and students to take advantage of this opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates skill, dedication, and career readiness.

Whether in manufacturing, professional skills, or healthcare, Trade Wars 2026 is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of skilled professionals.

For more information or to register for the upcoming healthcare competition, contact OCTC or visit the college’s website.

Bernie Hale is the Director of Marketing and Communications at OCTC. She has over 25 years of experience in higher education. Hale holds a Master's of Public Administration degree from WKU and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Brescia.