North Carolina’s Luke Dutton Makes USA Proud in WorldSkills Competition for Bricklaying

Every two years, young people from around the globe compete in the WorldSkills Competition, the largest technical education event in the world. WorldSkills not only showcases the value of skills, it raises the recognition of skilled professionals worldwide.

North Carolina’s own Luke Dutton, age 20, was among those who represented the United States at WorldSkills 2017. This past October, Dutton traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he competed against bricklayers from 32 countries.

Dutton grew to love masonry “by chance” after signing up for an elective class in high school. He soon got involved in SkillsUSA, honed his skills, and competed at the state and national levels. By the time Dutton graduated from West Rowan High School in 2015, he was “hooked” on masonry as a career path. He has been employed by McGee Brothers of Monroe, N.C., since August 2015.  McGee Brothers is the largest residential masonry company in the United States.  Dutton works out of the company’s Greensboro office.

In preparation for the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, Dutton trained with U.S. Bricklaying Expert Todd Hartsell — a Skills USA Advisor and US WorldSkills Bricklaying Instructor. He is charged with training all bricklaying competitors from across the country for both the annual Skills USA Competition and the biennial WorldSkills Competition. Strictly by coincidence, Hartsell is also based in North Carolina. By day, he is Masonry instructor at Central Cabarrus High School located in Concord, part of the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.

“I’m privileged to get to train the ‘best of the best’ young bricklaying professionals,” said Hartsell. “The WorldSkills Competition is kind of like the Olympics for skilled professionals. It’s a big deal.”

Hartsell went on to say, “For Luke, WorldSkills was a four-day, 22-hour contest in which he had to build all three modules that were scored at the highest level according to the WorldSkills standard of excellence. Luke placed 20th out of 32 competing countries. It was a great experience for Luke and he did an outstanding job.”

Hartsell is looking forward to training the “yet to be determined” U.S. bricklaying competitor who will represent the United States at next year’s WorldSkills Competition — to be held in Kazan, Russia.

“We plan to bring in the top five or six placing bricklayers from the 2016-2017 National SkillsUSA Competitions to compete at the 2018 SkillsUSA Contest this coming June. The winner will go to WorldSkills Kazan as a member of the U.S. team in August 2019,” he said.

Note: Bricklaying is one of 20 skill areas in which the U.S. team will be competing at WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

INSIDE THE MIND OF A YOUNG CRAFT PROFESSIONAL

The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) interviewed Dutton In October 2017, a week before he competed at WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. This interview (published on NCCER’s “Breaking Ground” Blog, October 12, 2017), is reprinted with permission below.

NCCER: Why did you choose masonry and what do you enjoy about it?
Dutton: I thought initially it would be an easy class, but I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make it my career. When we complete a project whether it is a home or an apartment building, I can go back and show others what I helped build. I get a lot of satisfaction when I go to past jobs and show my friends and family.

NCCER: Tell us an interesting fact about yourself:
Dutton: I was actually on my way to moving into college at UNCC to major in mechanical engineering, when I changed my mind and decided to go straight to work in the masonry field. It was the best decision I ever made.

NCCER: Who inspired you to enter a construction program?
Dutton: I remember Sam McGee the most in past competitions at the local and state level. He had so much enthusiasm for the masonry industry and young people. My current supervisor, Nick Cardillo has helped me so much in my early career. I also really appreciate the support from Cliff McGee and Greg Huntley who encouraged me as I prepared for this once in a lifetime experience. Also, my training expert, Todd Hartsell, who has helped me so much as I prepared for the WorldSkills Competition.

NCCER: Would you suggest other students pursue a career in construction and what advice do you have for them?
Dutton: Yes, definitely. It is a very rewarding career, especially looking back on the work you completed and the skill it takes to build structures as a team of workers. My advice is to stay determined and work hard in an industry that is very satisfying and gives back financially.

NCCER: What types of training have you been through?
Dutton: SkillsUSA Leadership through high school and competing at the State/National SkillsUSA Competitions. On-the-job training I am receiving through McGee Brothers Masonry as I continue advancing in my early career. Training with the US Bricklaying Expert, Todd Hartsell for the past 5 months in preparation to represent the United States at the WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

NCCER: What has helped you be successful in your program?
Dutton: The great support of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association and how they encourage young people to set goals for their future to become successful.

NCCER: How do you define craftsmanship?
Dutton: Excellence in the trade. Taking pride in your work and the final product that stands the test of time.

NCCER: And finally, what is your dream job?
Dutton: I hope one day to run my own masonry business, but right now I enjoy what I’m currently doing. I’m learning so much about the masonry industry and I love it!

To learn more about the WorldSkills organization and competition, visit at www.worldskills.org.