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The University of Phoenix and the Manufacturing Institute Scholarship Opportunity

April 15th, 2013

The University of Phoenix and The Manufacturing Institute are offering ten full-tuition scholarships toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a manufacturing-related degree program at University of Phoenix. Aimed at developing a new generation of skilled and competitive manufacturing workers, the scholarships will allow recipients to choose online or ground classes so they can continue their career while earning their degrees. Eligible candidates must be currently employed by a manufacturer or interested in pursuing a manufacturing career; not be currently enrolled at University of Phoenix; and apply between March 5, 2013 and April 30, 2013.

Visit: www.phoenix.edu/tuition_and_financial_options/scholarships/manufacturing-institute-scholarship.html for details, including complete eligibility and application information.

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Save Money on Learning Materials and Support SkillsUSA at the Same Time

April 15th, 2013

Cegage and SkillsUSACengage Learning has partnered with SkillsUSA to provide needed learning materials to members at a discount. The product areas include: construction, electrical, HVACR, plumbing, Green, 3-D Visualization and Animation, Audio/Radio Production, Computer Programming, A+/Computer Maintenance, Job Interviewing and Photography. SkillsUSA members may purchase these items at a 20 percent discount plus 5 percent of the purchase will be donated to SkillsUSA. To order, go to: www.informationdestination.cengage.com/skillsusa/.

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Inaugural Alumni Roundtable Training and Volunteering at NLSC 2013

April 15th, 2013
Alumni Coordinating Committee

Alumni Coordinating Committee

“Speed date” your National Alumni Coordinating Committee representatives on Monday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. In this fun, fast-paced and exciting roundtable training session, you will gain knowledge in a variety of alumni topics from starting a state association to planning activities for alumni. Reserve your place at the table by June 1: www.skillsusa.org/supporters/alumni.shtml#RT

We are also seeking dedicated individuals to assist with the NLSC. Alumni who volunteer daily at the conference can have their conference registration fee waived. Alumni help is needed on the booth team, leadership team, Championships team and special services team. While at conference, alumni volunteers will also have the opportunity to network with partners, members, staff and other alumni, and will get to participate in conference events. This is a great way for alumni members to stay involved and continue the SkillsUSA journey. The registration deadline to be an alumni volunteer is also June 1.

An NLSC 2013 alumni registration form and the list of alumni activities are enclosed with the hard copy of this Executive Update for state association directors. Please pass it on to alumni from your states. For more information about the alumni training or being an alumni volunteer, please contact Heidi Walsh at hwalsh@skillsusa.org, or go to: www.skillsusa.org/supporters/alumninlsc.shtml.

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GAERF Student Design Competition

April 15th, 2013

Graphic DesignThe Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) has announced the launch of the GAERF 2013 Student Design Competition, themed “Forever Print.” This annual contest, in its fifth year, challenges students to demonstrate their creativity and skill by producing a printed product that in today’s world cannot be replaced by electronic media. All students who attend recognized high school or postsecondary institutions in the continental United States who are studying in a graphic communications/printing, advertising, graphic design or interactive media program can enter.

First-place winners and their instructors will receive a two-day trip, all expenses paid, to attend PRINT 13 in Chicago, Ill. The winning students will receive an award of $2,000 presented at PRINT 13 during Career Awareness Day on September 12, 2013. Second-place winners will be awarded $1,500, and the third-place winners will receive $1,000 and will receive their awards via USPS delivery by September 30, 2013. All student entries will be showcased online at: www.graphicCOMMcentral.org, and also in PRINT 13′s Education Main Street pavilion.

If you have questions, please contact Eileen Cassidy at 703/264-7200 or by email to ecassidy@npes.org. For more information, visit: www.graphicCOMMcentral.org. The entry deadline is June 14, 2013.

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SkillsUSA Competitor News Release Template

April 15th, 2013

A sample template release is on the SkillsUSA advocacy site. It’s a template to be used by state association directors, instructors and others to get the word out to the media and Congress about the students who qualified to compete or won in the state SkillsUSA Championships. The news release can be sent to local news media through the advocacy site, five outlets at a time. It is also possible to send the release to your U.S. Senators and Representatives. The site can be reached by going to: www.skillsusa.org/about/policy.shtml and clicking on “advocacy site.” Please encourage your teachers to use this valuable tool to promote their students and instructional programs.

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SkillsUSA Board of Directors Meets in North Carolina

April 1st, 2013

The SkillsUSA board of directors met on March 12-13 in Huntersville, N.C. The meeting was hosted by IRWIN at their corporate offices and Learning and Development Center. IRWIN kicked off the board meeting with dinner at the Peninsula Club on Lake Norman and Rich Wuerthele, president of IRWIN, spoke to the group and brought the official welcome. Six IRWIN staff members participated in the evening event, including our host and board member, Nick Mastrone and YDF member Cheryl Mehrmann.

The morning of March 13 began with an overview of the Newell Rubbermaid family of brands by Rich and an overview of the IRWIN operations and workforce awareness programs by Nick. The board then toured the Learning and Development Center and learned how product research, development and testing are performed on a variety of products. Our main tour guide, Doug Nelson, IRWIN’s senior prototype manager, told us at the beginning of the tour that he was a SkillsUSA member back when it was VICA and he is still involved assisting with SkillsUSA competitions. It’s always great to see success in former members.

The board’s business meeting was March 14 and we were pleased that Peyton Holland, N.C., college/postsecondary state association director joined us for the day. A big thank-you goes to Nick Mastrone and the entire IRWIN team for their incredible hospitality and for a high quality experience for the board and staff at their corporate offices.

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Highlights

April 1st, 2013
  • Staff made development visits in Texas on Monday, March 11. First stop was at Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway in Ft. Worth. BNSF Railway operates more than 1,000 trains a day on one of the largest freight rail transportation networks in North America. BNSF will have an outdoor display at SkillsUSA TECHSPO. The second visit was with The Dwyer Group in Waco where they discussed women in the trades scholarships for our students. The Dwyer Group offers franchise business opportunities including Air Serv, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Rooter, Mr. Electric, Rainbow International, The Grounds Guys and Glass Doctor.
  • Staff traveled to Reno, Nev. with associates from the Ringenburg Group to conduct the last of four high school and college/postsecondary focus group sessions. The research was conducted with teachers and students of both membership levels. Staff facilitated educational resource and skill development training for the participants when they were not in the focus group meetings. A report compiling the focus group findings will be provided to the SkillsUSA marketing team in May and will be used to direct the membership and marketing plan for the organization.
  • Speaking of alumni success stories. Staff reports that the summer issue of SkillsUSA Champions magazine will feature a former SkillsUSA member who is now a successful food stylist for a major home shopping network.
  • On March 14-15  I travelled to Louisville, Ky., where we met with executives from Ford Motor Company and General Electric. We also met with the new president of the Kentucky State Fair Board and toured some potential storage facilities. We also met with staff at the Kentucky Department of Education, including Fran Dundon and new state association director, Larry Johnson.

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FY12 Annual Report

March 31st, 2013

SkillsUSA’s Annual Report for FY12 is now available online. The contents illustrate our successes in both program delivery and the financial stewardship of our mission to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. To view the Annual Report, go to: www.skillsusa.org/supporters/annual.shtml.

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Submit Mentoring Projects for Student2Student

March 30th, 2013

Student2Student Mentoring

SkillsUSA sponsors a national recognition program based on the Student2Student mentoring program. Any chapter involved in mentoring can submit its project plan, description and outcomes. The winning chapter will be given a cash prize and recognized at an event during the National Leadership and Skills Conference. In addition, the overall winning chapter will be invited to present its winning mentoring program as a part of SkillsUSA University. For information, go to: www.skillsusa.org/educators/mentrecog.shtml. All entries must be submitted online to the national office by April 4. Winners will be announced in May.

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U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Online Resources to Help Businesses Recruit, Train and Retain a Skilled Workforce

March 29th, 2013

CareerOneStop logoThe U.S. Department of Labor announced on March 25th the launch of the Business Center, a suite of online resources for employers looking to recruit, train and retain a skilled work force through the department’s CareerOneStop website.

The site includes tips about how to recruit qualified candidates through local American Job Centers and provides employment projections. Additionally, the site offers access to local training and educational institutions, a catalog of occupational certifications and a tool to help employers translate the military training and skills of returning service members into specific civilian occupations. The CareerOneStop Business Center is available online at: www.careeronestop.org/business.

The new Business Center page builds on existing resources available through CareerOneStop, which also has information to help job seekers find education and training providers, conduct a job search and access local labor market information.

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