SkillsUSA Friday Flash

Feb. 4, 2022

 

 

Happy SkillsUSA Week!

SkillsUSA Week is Feb. 7-11, and we encourage you to celebrate by holding activities that follow the daily schedule of events for local chapters. Stay tuned to SkillsUSA’s social media channels for coverage throughout the week!

• Monday, Feb. 7, Recognition Day. Recognize and honor members, advisors, administrators, business partners, community leaders and supporters of your CTE program and SkillsUSA chapter.

• Tuesday, Feb. 8, Give Back Day. Rally around your school community by focusing on ways for your chapter to give back.

• Wednesday, Feb. 9, Partner Day. Invite local business and industry leaders to connect with members.

• Thursday, Feb. 10, Advocacy Day. Amplify CTE in your community by conducting a presentation to school board members, administrators or community leaders.

• Friday, Feb. 11, SkillsUSA Day. Celebrate by wearing your favorite SkillsUSA T-shirt, planning a celebration activity or posting on social media using the hashtag: #SkillsUSAWeek.

 

The SkillsUSA Week Chapter Guide assists chapters in planning for each day of SkillsUSA Week.

 

The SkillsUSA Week T-shirt is available in the SkillsUSA Store. This 100% cotton shirt features the winning design by Ellis Eley from SkillsUSA Georgia and includes additional SkillsUSA spirit on the sleeve.

 

The SkillsUSA Advocacy Site has two templates for you to use to promote your activities during SkillsUSA Week and Career and Technical Education Month. One is for your U.S. senators and representatives and your local government officials, and the other is for your local media. The letter templates are editable, so personalize your message with details about your school, training programs and activities. If you are planning specific activities for SkillsUSA Week, please be sure to invite the news media to attend.

 

Share your stories, photos or links with the SkillsUSA headquarters and we just may feature your chapter on the SkillsUSA Champions digital hub or on our social media. Thanks for being an advocate for SkillsUSA and career and technical education.

 

National Membership Deadline is Approaching

The national SkillsUSA membership deadline is March 1. Student members must meet both state and national deadlines to be eligible to participate in national competitions; serve as voting delegates; run for national office; participate in national programming; or apply for scholarships, awards and honors. As a benefit, professional members receive online access to a host of powerful resources. Learn how to access your professional membership benefits in this Google doc. If you need assistance, call the SkillsUSA Customer Care Team toll free at 844-875-4557. Phones are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. ET Tuesday and Thursday. You can also email the team at customercare@skillsusa.org.

 

Essential Element Videos for Your Classroom

SkillsUSA offers an Essential Element Motion Graphic video series for students to learn about the personal, workplace and technical skills embedded in the SkillsUSA Framework. The video series is a professional member benefit and can be accessed on the SkillsUSA Absorb platform within the “Framework Integration Toolkit” module. Click on the “SkillsUSA Framework Essential Element Motion Graphic Videos” online course to view the series. Consider challenging your students to think further about how they use a specific Essential Element in their own lives by asking:

 

How do you see this Essential Element practiced in your life (at school/work/home)?

Provide an example of how you have practiced this Essential Element within the chapter.

Name two ways you can intentionally practice and deepen your understanding of this Essential Element at school/work/home.

 

Lowe’s Grants Awarded to SkillsUSA Chapters

SkillsUSA has awarded grants to 43 SkillsUSA chapters in 22 states thanks to its longtime partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement. SkillsUSA and Lowe’s have teamed up for over 16 years to support career and technical education classrooms across the nation. For more information and to see what SkillsUSA chapters received the grants, go here.

 

The SkillsUSA Store — A Gift from the Hartt

Show you care with a special SkillsUSA Carhartt piece this Valentine’s Day. Shop the Carhartt collection to find great items, such as the signature tool roll, utility tool tote, 17” computer messenger bag and travel kit.

 

Nominations for Honorary Life and Outstanding Career and Technical Educators

SkillsUSA is seeking additional nominations for SkillsUSA Honorary Life Member and Outstanding Career and Technical Educator awards. If you would like to nominate an individual for recognition at our national conference in June, please complete the online applications here. The deadline is Feb. 15. For questions, contact Laura Rauch.

 

New SkillsUSA National-Level Recognition Award

The new “SkillsUSA Hall of Champions Award” recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves at the national level to helping youth develop and embody the components of the SkillsUSA Framework. Candidates may be nominated by a state SkillsUSA director, current or past SkillsUSA board member, SkillsUSA headquarters staff member, SkillsUSA chapter, stakeholder, alumni, or other leaders in the organization. The nomination form must be accompanied by up to five letters of support demonstrating the nominee’s impact on youth development within the SkillsUSA Framework. Complete the application here no later than April 1.

 

 

 

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

Please join your fellow advisors for our upcoming SkillsUSA Professional Development sessions. Topics include the Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) for New Advisors and CEP 2.0 for experienced advisors. We will also preview the guides and our best practices series for SkillsUSA Championships coaching. See the training calendar here. Completion certificates are provided for each session. Use this Google Doc to learn how to access your professional membership benefits online. A PDF of the 2021-22 Professional Development Opportunities is available here. For questions, contact Karolina Belen. 

 

Facilitating Edible Art Expertise on “SkillsUSA Technical Fridays”

Join us for “SkillsUSA Technical Fridays,” SkillsUSA’s industry-led workshops that help teachers develop specific technical skills relevant to their career fields. On Feb. 18 from 4-5 p.m. ET, the presenter is Amanda Potts, a professor of Hotel Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts at Central Arizona College. Pott’s session will focus on Garde Manger and the art of watermelon carving. Grab a watermelon, paring knife, some scotch tape and get ready to carve. She will also demonstrate techniques for carving a rose, safety and sanitation and storing to prolong the life of your finished edible art. Professional development certificates are available for attending. The cost to attend the session is $10. Register here.

 

Share Your Unique Knowledge and Skills During SkillsUSA University

SkillsUSA is seeking presenters for the 2022 SkillsUSA University. Are you an expert in your career cluster? Do you have a skill you would like to share with teachers and students attending the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta? Sessions will take place on June 21, 22 and 23. Submit the request for presentation proposal here by Feb. 27. For questions, contact Karolina Belen.

 

Focus Students on Safety

CareerSafe’s annual National Youth Safety Video Contest challenges students to create a two-minute video demonstrating workplace safety. Send submissions to CareerSafe by March 1. The winning students will receive a SkillsUSA prize pack and a scholarship of up to $2,500, and the winning school will receive a prize of up to $5,000. For more information and to submit your entry, visit the CareerSafe website.

 

Take Up the Challenge! National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design

SkillsUSA is once again offering the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge for all dues-paying student members. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for NLSC. Entries must be received by March 15 at 12 a.m. ET, and the winners will be announced on March 21. Rules and submission links can be found on the SkillsUSA website.

 

Engage Your Chapter in SkillsUSA’s Student2Student Program

SkillsUSA has launched a refreshed Student2Student program for the 2021-22 school year. The program connects chapters with younger students in elementary or middle school to facilitate SkillsUSA’s “Jump into STEM!” curriculum at their school. Learn more about the program, as well as how your chapter can gain national recognition by participating, on our website. Entries must be submitted by April 1.

 

Earn Presidential Recognition for Service

At the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference, SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students and registered alumni for their community service and volunteer activities through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members, advisors or alumni can submit a record of their service hours to SkillsUSA, which is a certifying organization. This presidential honor recognizes the valuable contributions of volunteers who are answering a national call to serve others through their current activities or lifetime efforts. Details on qualifying hours and requirements for submission are available here. Applications must be received by April 1 for recognition at the 2022 national conference.

 

SkillsUSA Scholarships Now Open for Applications

Several scholarships are now open to benefit SkillsUSA students in pursuit of higher education or certification in their chosen fields. Help spread the word about these opportunities:

 

• The new Fieldpiece #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship is open to SkillsUSA members enrolled in HVACR or general construction programs who plan to study HVACR at the college/postsecondary level in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 school year. The deadline for applications is March 1. 

• The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will award four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members who are also members of NTHS. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund, SkillsUSA and the McMinn County Vocational Center SkillsUSA Alumni Association are offering two high school seniors who are members of SkillsUSA a one-time $1,000 scholarship. The deadline for applications is April 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

 

Applications and more scholarship information are available here.