SkillsUSA Friday Flash

3/18/22

 

 

SkillsUSA Champion’s Latest Feature Story: Purpose Cemented by Passion

We all know that SkillsUSA works hard to honor the skilled trades, so it’s only fitting that one of SkillsUSA’s own is the executive director of the National Technical Honor Society. Our most recent feature article on the SkillsUSA Champions Digital Hub chronicles Peyton Holland’s journey from SkillsUSA student to national officer to state director to his current role. It’s a great example of how using the SkillsUSA program can shape a life and career. Read the story here.

 

Help SkillsUSA Thank Carhartt and TSC for Supporting the Trades

At a time when the skilled trades need more champions, Carhartt and Tractor Supply Company (TSC) recently stepped up with a $100,000 donation to SkillsUSA through their Support the Trades campaign! Now’s the time for SkillsUSA Nation to say thank you. We’re requesting short thank-you videos from SkillsUSA members. A video submission earns you a spot in a drawing for one of two $50 Amazon gift cards. Click here for full details on how to show these partners how much we value their support!  

 

Registration Opens Soon for Connect to My Future Career Conference

Save the date for this year’s virtual SkillsUSA Connect to My Future Career Conference on May 3-4. This unique conference allows students to explore career pathways while connecting directly with employers. Three distinct student program tracks will be offered for members in middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary programs. Check out all three tracks here. Registration opens March 21. We encourage you to share this video with your classes to get students excited.

 

National Signing Day Celebrates Your Students and Programs

On Thursday, May 5, SkillsUSA National Signing Day will celebrate high school seniors and college/postsecondary students who have chosen to pursue careers as professionals in the skilled trades. Local SkillsUSA chapters are encouraged to plan and host a signing day event by inviting business partners, school administrators, teachers, elected officials, SkillsUSA alumni, family and friends to honor students signing “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training.

 

This digital toolkit of resources will help chapters plan their local events. The toolkit includes an event logo, an invitation template, social media posts, a sample press release, thank-you notes, an event planning checklist and more. Registration for SkillsUSA National Signing Day opens March 21.

 

Career Cluster Lapel Pins and T-Shirts at the SkillsUSA Store

Show pride in your career field with a new career cluster lapel pin. The 14 lapel pin options represent a wide variety of career pathways. We are also showcasing the SkillsUSA Career Cluster T-Shirt Collection, designed to correspond with the industries on your pin. Wear your career today!

 

Using Social Media to Promote Your Chapter

Social media plays a large role in the lives of students every day. It can be a great way to connect with current and potential SkillsUSA members, promote chapter events and create overall brand awareness. For inspiration on leveraging social media, be sure to follow the national SkillsUSA accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

 

If you need help getting your chapter’s social media channels established, reach out to SkillsUSA social media manager Hayley Uffelman for assistance. We also encourage you to check out the Social Media Toolkit for resources to help with managing social media for your chapter.

 

Press Release Template for State Conference Participants
New on the SkillsUSA advocacy site is a press release template for state conference participants and others to share competition results with local media. Parents, instructors, students or anyone can send emails through the template, which can be customized for your specific needs. For questions, email Jane Short.

 

Facilitating Electrical 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 March 25, from 4-5 p.m. ET, the presenter is Ross Rector, a former professor of industrial carpentry and an electricity craftsperson. Rector’s session will focus on the concepts of electrical circuits, with demonstrations of hands-on activities for learning about circuits and circuit components, including how Ohm’s law is used to analyze circuits. The cost to attend the session is $10. Register here.

 

Professional Development Opportunities

Please join your fellow advisors for SkillsUSA Professional Development sessions. See the full 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. 

 

SkillsUSA Hall of Champions Award Application Deadline Approaching

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 student development within the SkillsUSA Framework. Complete the application here no later than April 1.

 

Student2Student Program Entries Due

It’s not too late to engage your students in SkillsUSA’s 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. Visit the website to learn more about the program and how your chapter can gain national recognition by participating. Entries are due April 1.

 

Applications Due for the President’s Volunteer Service Award

At the 2022 National Leadership & 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, members 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.

 

Love and Logic Session: Preventing Power Struggles in Your Classroom

Join us on April 5 from 3:30-5 p.m. ET for a Love and Logic session designed to help you learn how to use choices to prevent power struggles in your classroom. The cost to attend is $10. Register here. For questions, contact Karolina Belen. 

 

Seeking Musical Talent to Perform at NLSC

A new SkillsUSA Talent Program is being launched in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference. Selected members will showcase their musical ability during one of three high-energy arena sessions in front of more than 12,000 SkillsUSA participants from across the country. They may also perform for smaller audiences during the conference.

 

Students or advisors will be offered complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to participate in the SkillsUSA Talent Program. SkillsUSA Championships contestants are eligible, but performance opportunities may be limited due to scheduling conflicts. Applicants must be current paid SkillsUSA members and must submit a video file performing a song of choice that demonstrates their musical ability. Individual or group performances are welcome. Apply here by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, April 22. For questions, contact Joey Baker.

 

SkillsUSA Scholarships Open for Applications

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

 

• The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will award four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members who are members of NTHS. The deadline for applications is March 31.

• The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund offers two SkillsUSA high school seniors a one-time $1,000 scholarship. The deadline for applications is April 15

• Fine Homebuilding will be awarding scholarships to SkillsUSA high school or college/postsecondary students continuing their education or certification programs in construction-related fields through the #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship program. The deadline for applications is May 30.

• The Student Research Foundation offers a scholarship to a SkillsUSA member currently enrolled in high school who plans to continue their education in a postsecondary program. It recognizes outstanding community contribution. The deadline for applications is July 26.

 

Applications and more scholarship information are available here.