October 9 update

Addendum #1 - February 6 update

Addendum #2 - March 20 update

Addendum #3 - April 23 update

Addendum #4 - May 8 update

Addendum #5 - May 15 update

Addendum #6 - June 2 update

October 9, 2008

Following are highlights of some of the more critical changes; however, there are other changes regarding equipment and materials provided by the technical committees and by the competitors, as well as changes to the competency sections, details/clarifications to the general section and to the contest guidelines that are not specifically listed.

Please also be sure and check the "Contest Updates" periodically for additional information provided by the national technical committees now through May 2009.

The revised standards include detailed rating sheets to help better prepare students for the competitions. These rating sheets are intended to give contestants and advisors a basic understanding of the evaluation criteria and serve as a guide as they prepare for national competition. The exact number and identification of tasks and points assigned is subject to change as determined by the national technical committees.

Community Service
Only the first-place high school and/or college postsecondary winning team(s) may be entered in national competition.

Firefighting
Changes in clothing requirements, equipment and materials and #2 under "contest guidelines." The scorecard printed in the standards is incorrect. Task and points assigned are as follows:

Donning Structural PPE Ensemble 25
Ropes and Knots 50
Stairmaster 85
Hose Drag 85
Equipment Carry 85
Ladder Raise 85
Forcible Entry 85
Search 85
Rescue 85
Breach and Pull 85
CPAT Time 70
Written Test 150
Oral Assessment 25

Opening and Closing Ceremony
A number of changes regarding new/additional penalty points, restrictions as to the President’s roles and placement of the emblem plastics and chairs in the presentation room. The new, detailed judges’ scoring criteria is included.

Outstanding Chapter
The entire section regarding "Participation in Chapter Standards" has been eliminated.

Quiz Bowl
Team members may choose to wear either the official SkillsUSA red blazer and accompanying dress or the official white polo with black pants/skirt.

TeamWorks
Team members may be from different chapters (schools). This rule was created to accommodate states with low membership numbers of comprehensive construction-trades programs. Consequently, the decision to allow member students from different chapters to form a team rests with the state association director.

All four team members are required to have an OSHA Certification prior to competition.

Tech Prep Showcase
Only the first-place high school and/or college postsecondary winning team(s) of each career cluster may be entered in national competition.

Teams may choose to dress in costume appropriate to the project and display. See page 499 for details.

Three medals (one gold, one silver and one bronze) will be given for the top three teams in each of the six main career paths: Arts and Communication; Business, Management and Technology; Human Services; Health Services; Industrial and Engineering Technology and Natural Resources/Agriculture/Food. (Note from the national technical committee: Rather than limiting the teams competing, it is our intent to use the paths to add more structure to the contest until it reaches the point where each of the 16 clusters can stand on its own. It’s the number of student teams entered into each of the 16 career clusters that will make the biggest difference on how many medals will be awarded. The more clusters that reach 12 student entries, the more medals that will be awarded in the future.)

Correction: On page 502, #16, "Hospitality and Tourism" should be moved to the "Human Services" main career path. This will be corrected in the next revisions.

Total Quality Management
The decision to eliminate this competition was made after the standards were printed. We will no longer conduct the TQM contest.

Addendum #1 – February 6, 2009

All Contests Requiring Competitors to Wear Safety Glasses
Eye protection must meet ANSI 87 requirements. Prescription and non-prescription safety glasses must include side shields designed for the safety glasses by the manufacturer of the eye protection. An imprint with the mark "Z87" will appear on the frame and/or lens to identify the safety glasses as meeting ANSI Z87 requirements. Approved safety goggles may also be worn to meet these eye protection requirements.

New Official Contests
Six demonstration contests were approved as official contests. They are Engineering Technology, Esthetics, Medical Math, Screen Printing, Video Product Development and Welding Fabrication. To view contest guidelines, visit www.skillsusa.org/compete/contests.shtml.

New Demonstration Contest
Medical Terminology is the only new demonstration contest to be conducted this year. To view contest guidelines, visit www.skillsusa.org/compete/demos.shtml.

Broadcast News Production
The contest guidelines include conflicting statements regarding the number of team members. In the right column, under "Eligibility," it states "a team of three…" In the left column, under "Contest Guidelines," it states "comprised of four…" The correct number of team members is four.

Chapter Display
The scorecard in the technical standards is missing one line item, "Layout and Design: Eye Flow" for 75 points. Click here to download the corrected form.

First Aid/CPR
Contestants are required to provide approved certificates from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety Institute or the National Safety Council for AED, CPR and First Aid—not all four certifying agencies.

Preschool Teaching Assistant
The lesson plan segment of the competition will align with the guidelines contained in the Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving

Children from Birth through Age 8 (2008, 3rd edition.) This is the same publication as the one published in the contest standards, just the most current edition.

Addendum #2 – March 20, 2009

All Contestants
Use of cell phones during the contestant orientation, familiarization, competition and debriefing is prohibited. That means no conversing, no photographing and no text messaging. They also are not allowed to be used as calculators. If your contest requires a calculator, and it is not provided, you must bring your own.

All competitors must bring a one-page, typewritten résumé and submit it to the national technical committee at the contestant orientation meeting. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of 5% of the maximum points possible.

All competitors (except Action Skills, Building Maintenance and Quiz Bowl) must take a written professional development test.

All competitors in technical skill areas (except Building Maintenance) must take a skill-related, written test. The number of points allowed will not exceed 15% of the maximum points possible.

All contests will include an oral professional assessment. The number of points allowed will not exceed 10% of the maximum points possible.

Action Skills
Under Scope of Contest, Contest Guidelines, item # 4, Time limit: The time keeper will signal the speaker at 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 6 ½ minutes and 7 minutes.

Aviation Technology
Calculators brought by contestants are to be non-programmable.

Automated Manufacturing Technology
Safety glasses must have clear lenses

Basic Health Care Skills
Note cards are allowed to be used in the presentation.

Collision Repair
Under Standards and Competencies, CRT 19.2, change “Determine the different types of misalignments that the vehicles’ structure has sustained by using a mechanical measuring system.”

Computer Programming
Contestants must bring their own PC/laptop loaded with the software necessary to program in the language of their choice. No prewritten programs are allowed.

Culinary Arts
Advisors will be allowed to accompany the student to orientation session, however all questions and comments must be generated by the competitors only.

The advisors are asked to remain as observers at orientation sessions, throughout the competition and during the debriefing.

Click here for preparation help.

Internetworking
Check for updates and leave comments for the national contest on the Facebook.com,“ SkillsUSA Internetworking Competition Fan” page.

Major Appliance
The contestants’ orientation meeting will include new product seminars and other presentations of interest to the contestant’s and their instructors or advisors. Lunch will be served. All contestants and their instructors and advisors are welcome to join us for lunch

Medical Assisting
Postsecondary contestants will be required to complete several advanced stations (example, but not limited to; invasive procedures, sterile procedure, collection and transport, insurance filing and coding, critical thinking, etc.)

Medical Math
Calculators brought by contestants are to be “basic” and not have fraction keys.

Motorcycle Service Technology
All contestants are asked to bring pen/pencil and paper or a laptop computer for the purpose of taking notes. Audio/Video recording devices will not be allowed unless by special permission from the Technical Committee Chair.

Robotics & Automation
Safety glasses must have clear lenses.

Screen Printing Technology
Contestants need to bring the following items:

• Earplugs
• Safety Glasses
• Apron
• Vinyl Gloves

Telecommunications Cabling
In addition to the other items listed under “Supplied by the Contestants,” competitors need to bring electrical tape and a cable tester.

Welding Fabrication
Teams will be given a theme and a bill of materials that will be supplied prior to the competition.

Additional requirements:

• Each team is required to create a theme-based product from the material given.
  Students will be required to supply the judges with a copy of the print prior to construction of the project.
• Each team will be required to use all welding/cutting processes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, OFC.
• Each team must evenly distribute the welding/cutting processes on the prints.
  Each team member will have to make welds on the project. It will be left up to the team who welds what. Points will be deducted if one or two team members do the majority of the welding.
• How the project is constructed is up to the team. However, please note it is a team effort. One student could do all SMAW, another all GTAW, and another all GMAW, etc. The teams could also have each student weld with each process evenly. It will be up to the team.

Addendum #3 – April 23, 2009

American Spirit
No PowerPoint presentations or visual aids other than the notebook may be reference during the interview.

Auto Service Technology
For a list of the station tasks and equipment, click here.

Broadcast News Production
Hand signals are to be broadcast industry hand signals and not "sign language" or personally made-up signs.

For a sample rundown sheet, click here.

Cosmetology
Pivot Point International has posted national competition information, including the types of mannequins that will be used and the hairstyles on their Web page. To view, please visit www.pivot-point.com/community-relations-a-events/competitions/134.html.

The national technical committee will again send out long-hair mannequins to all competitors for the color segment prior to the contest. Once the national office receives the state registrations, the contestants’ mailing information will be sent to Marianna. They will mail the mannequins along with instructions direct to the competitor.

For the long hair design, no ornaments (jewelry, scarves, etc.) or hairpieces are allowed. Additionally, contestants may not apply make-up (no special effects make-up or paint) or eyelashes to the mannequin.

Employment Application Process
Students may bring notes on a 3x5 card for use during the completion of the job application form.

First Aid/CPR
Competitors may bring their own facemask.
No textbooks will be allowed in the testing area.

Graphic Communications
The following equipment will be used in the competition:
For finishing: BaumCut 31.5 paper cutter and Baum 714XTL tabletop folder
For offset press operations: Heidelberg Printmaster 46 2 color

Nail Care
The national technical committee will introduce pedicures this year. Students will be judged, but their scores will not be included in the final scores of the contest. In addition to the items required for the nail care competition, students will need to bring enough supplies to perform a pedicure on one foot of their model.

Robotics and Automation
Students are not required to bring their own computers—they will be supplied by the national technical committee.

Screen Printing Technology
Following is the list of equipment that will be used in the competition:

• HIX NP 4-color / 1 Station Manual Rotary Screen Printer
  
• HIX NP 6-color / 4 Station Manual Rotary Screen Printer
  
• HIX E-2408Electric Conveyor Dryer 220 Volt
• HIX TT- 180 Table Top Fluorescent UV Screen Exposure Unit
  
• HIX SH - 1616 Automatic 16”X16” Spot Heater
  
• HIX SD-2632 Screen Dryer 26”X32” 120 Volt
  
• HIX Model 750 Tension Meter (from 7 to 50 Newtons/cm)
  
• Each contestant will be furnished with one HIX 21”X23” Reten Manual Screen Frame that holds a polyester screen. (Screen will be either 140 or 154 mesh count)

Video Product Development
This year’s contest will include an on-site, hands-on portion that will require each team to create a computerized storyboard of their project using PowerProduction StoryBoard Quick software provided by the national technical committee. Each team must bring a Mac or Windows (XP or above) laptop that storyboard software can be loaded onto for the competition.

Welding
The equipment to be used this year is as follows:

• Miller Dynasty 200
  
• Lincoln Power Mig 225 XT’s
  
• Smith Equipment Company SC 229 Cutting Torch

The skill-related written test will be administered on Tuesday. Following the written test, contestants will demonstrate their oral professional skills in a one-minute presentation by introducing themselves, identifying their schools, and state what his/her involvement in SkillsUSA has meant to him/her. Note cards will not be allowed. Scores will be based on staying within the one-minute timeframe and presentation skills and will be included in the total contest score. Contestants must wear their contest uniform.

The GMAW project will require contestants to make the welds with Short Circuiting GMAW. The SMAW project will require the use of E-6010 and E-7018 electrodes. The GTAW project will be aluminum. There will also be an FCAW project.

Addendum #4 – May 8, 2009

Auto Refinishing Technology
Delmar, a part of Cengage, is offering free access to their online ASE test preparation tool. Competitors in the Automotive, Collision, and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck areas at the 2009 National SkillsUSA Competition are welcome to take advantage of this free access. This tool, called Technician Test Preparation (TTP), offers users feedback for each question, provides helpful hints, as well as, in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers, and supplies links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery. Competitors who are interested should contact their instructors for login information. Students or instructors with questions should contact Jon Sweeney at jonathan.sweeney@cengage.com.

Instructions:

• Go to www.techniciantestprep.com
  
• Click on register in the upper right hand corner of the Webpage
  
• Create your profile & your login information
  
• Click submit
  
• In the Learning Code box enter the learner code supplied by your instructor
  
• Under ecourses, choose "Online ASE Technician Test Preparation (TTP)"
  
• Follow the instructions on the screen

Auto Service Technology
Delmar, a part of Cengage, is offering free access to their online ASE test preparation tool. Competitors in the Automotive, Collision, and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck areas at the 2009 National SkillsUSA Competition are welcome to take advantage of this free access. This tool, called Technician Test Preparation (TTP), offers users feedback for each question, provides helpful hints, as well as, in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers, and supplies links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery. Competitors who are interested should contact their instructors for login information. Students or instructors with questions should contact Jon Sweeney at jonathan.sweeney@cengage.com.

Instructions:

• Go to www.techniciantestprep.com
• Click on register in the upper right hand corner of the Webpage
  
• Create your profile & your login information
  
• Click submit
  
• In the Learning Code box enter the learner code supplied by your instructor
  
• Under ecourses, choose "Online ASE Technician Test Preparation (TTP)"
  
• Follow the instructions on the screen

Collision Repair Technology
Delmar, a part of Cengage, is offering free access to their online ASE test preparation tool. Competitors in the Automotive, Collision, and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck areas at the 2009 National SkillsUSA Competition are welcome to take advantage of this free access. This tool, called Technician Test Preparation (TTP), offers users feedback for each question, provides helpful hints, as well as, in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers, and supplies links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery. Competitors who are interested should contact their instructors for login information. Students or instructors with questions should contact Jon Sweeney at jonathan.sweeney@cengage.com.

Instructions:

• Go to www.techniciantestprep.com
  
• Click on register in the upper right hand corner of the Webpage
  
• Create your profile & your login information
  
• Click submit
  
• In the Learning Code box enter the learner code supplied by your instructor
  
• Under ecourses, choose "Online ASE Technician Test Preparation (TTP)"
  
• Follow the instructions on the screen

Commercial Baking
Click here for contest information.

Diesel Equipment Technology
Delmar, a part of Cengage, is offering free access to their online ASE test preparation tool. Competitors in the Automotive, Collision, and Medium/Heavy Duty Truck areas at the 2009 National SkillsUSA Competition are welcome to take advantage of this free access. This tool, called Technician Test Preparation (TTP), offers users feedback for each question, provides helpful hints, as well as, in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers, and supplies links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery. Competitors who are interested should contact their instructors for login information. Students or instructors with questions should contact Jon Sweeney at jonathan.sweeney@cengage.com.

Instructions:

• Go to www.techniciantestprep.com
  
• Click on register in the upper right hand corner of the Webpage
  
• Create your profile & your login information
  
• Click submit
  
• In the Learning Code box enter the learner code supplied by your instructor
  
• Under ecourses, choose "Online ASE Technician Test Preparation (TTP)"
  
• Follow the instructions on the screen

Esthetics
The fantasy segment of the competition is open-ended and contestants may choose any style they prefer—theatrical, showgirl, etc. They could even do a half and half face covering before and after looks. The judging will look at the student description of what they are going to do, creativity, application, safety, sanitation, and if they meet their objective stated. Students are asked to use 14-point typeface for the description and limit it to one page.

Firefighting
Below is the breakdown for times/points for this year's timed CPAT
portion of the Fire Fighting Competition:

00:00 - 10:20    70 pts
10:21 - 10:40    65 pts
10:41 - 11:00    60 pts
11:01 - 11:20    55 pts
11:21 - 11:40    50 pts
11:41 - 12:00    45 pts
12:01 - 13:00    40 pts
13:01 - 14:00    35 pts
14:01 - 15:00    30 pts
15:01 +           25 pts

Residential Wiring
Contestants will need to bring a basic calculator (non-programmable) for the written test. Also, students are reminded they need to bring the latest edition of the National Electrical Code, not the handbook.

Welding Fabrication
Click here for information and requirements for the 2009 project.

Addendum 5 – May 15, 2009

All Contestants
Contestants are requested to post their résumé online.  Click here for details www.skillsusa.org/compete/resumes.shtml.

Auto Service Technology
For the Environmental Health & Safety Workstation, access to CCAR's "S/P2" e-learning program is provided free of charge to competitors in SkillsUSA. BEFORE the national competition, instructors are asked to contact Jennifer Penland by e-mail info@sp2.org to receive their students' log-on information for the S/P2 Web site.  Students must complete the S/P2 courses IN ADVANCE of the competition. (Please plan on 48 hours to complete the training.) During the competition, students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of basic shop safety and environmental considerations.

Broadcast News
The source for written test questions are from www.cybercollege.com and will include the modules for news and documentaries.

Computer Programing
The national committee will allow the use of C# in addition to the list of languages in the technical standards.

Culinary Arts
Click here for final menus, recipes and judging information.

Automated Manufacturing Technology
For software information , click on the following link beginning May 28 www.intelitekdownloads.com/skills/

Graphics Communication
The software to be used in the Digital Workflow and Electronic Prepress sections of the contest is InDesign only.

Robotics and Automation Technology
For software information, click on the following link beginning May 28 www.intelitekdownloads.com/skills/

Addendum 6 – June 2, 2009

Audio (Radio) Production
While you may use any materials you want to, the textbooks that we suggest you use to study for the Audio/Radio Production written test are "Modern Radio Production:  Production, Programming, and Performance” (7th Edition, Hausman/Benoit/Messere, Published by Thomson Wadsworth, © 2007, ISBN 0495050318), “Fundamentals of Audio Production” (1st Edition, McDaniel/Shriver/Collins, ©2008, ISBN 0205462332) and “Audio in Media” (8th Edition, Alten, Published by Thomson Wadsworth,©2008, ISBN 0495095680), "The Sound Effects Bible:  How to Create and Record Hollywood Style Sound Effects" (Written by Ric Viers, Published by Michael Wiese Productions, ©2008, ISBN 1932907483), or Cyber College (www.cybercollege.com) use both the TV Production and Elements of Mass Communication online texts (TVP:  the "Scriptwriting Guidelines" module and all of the modules in the "Audio" section; EMC:  the modules in the "History and Development of Radio" section).

While specific chapters generally aren’t mentioned in these textbooks, competitors are encouraged to use the information in the contest specs to guide their reading/studying. Please note that the written test will cover standards
and competencies that are slightly expanded from the ones listed in the current contest specs in order to reflect what is being developed for the Work ForceReady System Assessment covering this area. These standards and competencies will be formally listed in the Audio/Radio Production contest specs with the release of the 2010 SkillsUSA Technical Standards. 

Click here to view the updated standards and competencies.

All teams are strongly urged to use laptop computers due to the amount of time it can take to set up full desktop systems. All digital audio recorders must have recording media that can be removed and turned in at the end of the first
day of the contest.

Automotive Refinishing
Click here for paint and primer specifications and safety information.

Commercial Baking
Click here for the 2009 formulas.

Computer Rental
In all contests requiring competitors to provide their own computer, students may bring one or contact Computer Express in Kansas City to rent one and have it delivered to the contest area.  For instructions, computer specifications and online rental, please go to their web site at
http://www.cerents.com/skillsusa.htm

Cosmetology
Click here for instructions and head sketch for the long hair mannequin.

TV Video Production
Source for written test questions are from www.cybercollege.com and will include the following modules:

Lenses 10-12
Camera controls 19
Lighting 27-34
Audio 38-41
Editing 50-53
Legal Ethical 66, 67

No further updates will be posted.

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