Campus News

Fluid Power Skills Competition

4/29/15
The Granite Falls Campus of Minnesota West Community & Technical College is proud to announce that Fluid Power Technology students Lance Wilson of Clarkfield, Minnesota and Brandon Benson of Tracy, Minnesota placed second and fourth, respectively, in the 2015 Minnesota Fluid Power Skills Competition, held at Hennepin Technical College on April 23, 2015. 

Lance Wilson is a second year student, graduating in May of 2015, and Brandon Benson is a first year student in the Fluid Power Technology program. Lance Wilson was awarded a $400 prize for placement and Brandon Benson a $200 prize from the Fluid Power Society. 

The annual Skills Competition brings exceptional students from each of the four technical colleges providing 2-year Fluid Power programs to this state level competition. The competition is divided into four distinct sections; the written test, fitting identification troubleshooting and a special challenge. The entire competition lasts 3 ½ hours and provides an excellent way for the contestants to determine their areas of strength as well as areas that need additional focus.

Students from Minnesota West’s Fluid Power Technology program have consistently finished high in this competition, taking many of the top five spots over the past eighteen years. 

Pictured are (from left) Brandon Benson, Lance Wilson, and Fluid Power Technology Instructor, Tom Midthun.