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CERATIZIT Sponors SkillsUSA CNC Milling Champion for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Competition, Sept. 22-27

CERATIZIT USA has announced its sponsorship of Alexis Squyres, SkillsUSA’s 2025 CNC Milling Champion and member of the 2026 WorldSkills USA team, as she prepares to compete in the international WorldSkills Competition from Sept. 22-27, 2026 in Shanghai, China.

"Alexis exemplifies the technical excellence and dedication that is shaping the future of our industry,” said Troy Wilt, Managing Director of CERATIZIT USA, Cutting Tools Division. “We are honored to return as a sponsor of a national champion and support Alexis’ journey as part of the SkillsUSA team."

Aligned with their sponsorship for the 2024 global competition, the company is providing a variety of CERATIZIT cutting tools and support to Squyres. WorldSkills is the largest international skills competition that brings together the top young skilled professionals from around the globe to compete across multiple skilled manufacturing disciplines.

Squyre’s interest in manufacturing started in her father’s welding shop and accelerated in middle school. Ultimately, she set her sights on opportunities to compete through SkillsUSA events.

"My teacher knew I was capable of doing more and always encouraged me to keep pushing myself," Squyres said. "He taught me about the excitement that comes from solving an intricate puzzle. After he got me into my first SkillsUSA CNC competition, each competition I participated in after that opened another door of opportunity."

As a graduate of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's Computer Integrated Machining program, Squyres distinguished herself by doing extra work as a lab assistant, earning the highest GPA in her class, earning Phi Theta Kappa honors, serving as the honor society’s secretary, and being elected to serve the college’s student government. She was also the only female graduate in her machining class.

Currently working as a CNC Applications Trainer at Phillips Corporation, Squyres works directly with manufacturers to train machinists on Haas CNC controls, probing, programming and advanced machining techniques.

Beyond the competition, Squyres hopes her participation inspires more young people to pursue careers in manufacturing.

"I want people across the globe to see what incredible opportunities exist in the skilled trades," she said. "There are so many rewarding career paths available for those who are willing to keep learning and improving their skills."

Squyres’ philosophy to always keep doors open to opportunities has her focused on the WorldSkills competition while also looking ahead to learning more about robot integration on CNC machines.

To support Squyres or other members of the SkillsUSA team, visit the WorldSkills USA donation page. https://worldskillsusa.org/donate/

To learn more, visit CERATIZIT.com or call 1-800-783-2280.

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