SkillsUSA Friday Flash

3/11/22

 

Models of Excellence Chapters Share Their Success

In our most recent feature article on the SkillsUSA Champions Digital Hub, the three 2021 Models of Excellence chapters offer an insightful look into how any SkillsUSA instructor can incorporate the SkillsUSA Framework into their classroom and associated projects. Read the story here, and you’ll likely be inspired with new ideas of your own. And don’t forget: You can always share your own news and stories through the “Share News and Stories” link at the top of the page.

 

SkillsUSA Chapter Volunteer Recognition Awards

SkillsUSA’s Chapter Volunteer Recognition Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the individual volunteers, school administrators, organizations, agencies, businesses and other groups who show their support for SkillsUSA student members at the local chapter level. There are four awards to choose from:

 

• SkillsUSA Pillars of Success Award recognizes the achievements of volunteers who have contributed time, talent and financial support to the SkillsUSA chapter.

• SkillsUSA Cornerstone Award recognizes and celebrates the cooperative relationships that have been established between local school administrators and SkillsUSA chapters.

• SkillsUSA Distinguished Service Award recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions made by organizations, agencies, businesses or other groups to SkillsUSA and career and technical education on the chapter level.

• SkillsUSA CTE Champions Award recognizes local education leaders, business and industry executives, policy makers, celebrities and thought leaders who support and champion CTE programs as a vital part of developing a prepared and competitive workforce.

 

A toolkit is available for administering each of these local Chapter Volunteer Recognition Awards. More information and a link to purchase the awards is available here.

 

Graduation Regalia at the SkillsUSA Store

Graduation season is around the corner. Don’t miss the opportunity to show off your members’ hard work and achievements in SkillsUSA. Shop for your honor cords, tassels and stoles at the SkillsUSA Store.

 

Press Release Template for State Leadership and Skills 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.

 

Final Reminder: National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design Entries Due Soon

SkillsUSA is once again offering the 2022 National Leadership & 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.

 

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. 

 

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 advisors plan their local chapter 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.

 

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.

 

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. 

 

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

 

Engage Your Chapter in SkillsUSA’s Student2Student Program

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.

 

Earn Presidential Recognition for Service

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.

 

Seeking Musical Talent to Perform at NLSC

Do you have a musical gift to share? If so, apply for the new SkillsUSA Talent Program being launched in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference. Selected applicants 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 throughout 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

SkillsUSA Scholarships Now Open for Applications

Several scholarships are now 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.