Active Advisor News: January 2023

New Report Highlights “The SkillsUSA Advantage”

A new report from the Student Research Foundation affirms what more than 14 million members served since 1965 already know: SkillsUSA involvement better prepares students for personal and professional success. “The SkillsUSA Advantage” report shows that SkillsUSA members consistently outperform peers not enrolled in a career and technical student organization (CTSO) in seven key areas, including meeting potential employers, being excited about their chosen career path, gaining work experience, being excited about school and more. This advantage holds true regardless of gender, race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The report clearly underscores the importance of removing barriers to ensure that all potential members have an opportunity to join. Share this validating new report with administrators, partners, parents and more to help spotlight SkillsUSA’s life-changing, career-shaping effect. Download “The SkillsUSA Advantage.”

From Game Player to Developer … on a Full-Ride Scholarship

Our latest SkillsUSA Champions magazine feature story highlights Juan Cubides, a Colombian immigrant who earned a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious University of Southern California to pursue his dream of becoming a video game developer. He did that in large part through his scholarship interview, and he credits his experiences in SkillsUSA with preparing him to succeed in that pivotal moment. Read the story on the SkillsUSA Champions Magazine Digital Hub.

Register Members by March 1 for Big Benefits

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 an advisor, becoming a professional member of SkillsUSA is one of the best ways to demonstrate to students the opportunities that membership provides. As a benefit of membership, professional members receive online access to a host of powerful resources. Learn how to access your professional membership benefits in this Google doc.

Get Career Ready with the Framework Integration ToolKit

The SkillsUSA Framework Integration Toolkit has everything advisors need to ensure career readiness in the classroom and chapter. Each Essential Element within the three components of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics is defined in this kit, including the associated behaviors for each. By talking with your students about the Essential Elements, they’ll begin to develop a Framework language to talk about the skills they’re learning. Professional members can access the Toolkit in SkillsUSA Absorb.

Plan Ahead for SkillsUSA Week

Plan now for SkillsUSA Week, Feb. 6-10. Participate by honoring your community supporters, connecting with local business and industry partners, or making a presentation about your CTE program and SkillsUSA chapter at a school board meeting. Plan activities and follow the daily schedule of events using the SkillsUSA Week Chapter Guide. A student-designed SkillsUSA Week T-shirt is now available in the SkillsUSA Store to outfit officers and members for your celebration. The T-shirt features the art of Clara Brown from Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua, Ohio.

Show Us What You Made … and What You’re Made Of!

Through the #MadeInSkillsUSA social media campaign, SkillsUSA is still showcasing the great accomplishments our students make every day as skilled workers and leaders. Share photos on social media that highlight something your students made with their hands (a construction project, a hairstyle, a culinary creation, etc.) or a personal achievement earned through SkillsUSA (landing an internship, delivering a speech, leading a meeting, etc.). To participate, simply post a photo with the hashtag #MadeInSkillsUSA. Learn more here. For questions, contact Hayley Uffelman, SkillsUSA’s social media manager. 

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

SkillsUSA is offering the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge to all dues-paying student members. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for the 2023 NLSC. The challenge opens on Jan. 15, entries must be received by March 3 at 12 a.m. ET, and winners will be announced on March 10. Rules and submission links can be found on the SkillsUSA Website.

New Professional Development Opportunities Offered

Please join other advisors for upcoming SkillsUSA Professional Development offerings. Learn more on our online training calendar. Completion certificates are provided for each session. Use this Google Doc to learn how to access your professional membership benefits online. Advisors in their first, second or third year can look forward to new advisor trainings on Jan. 27 or Feb. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A PDF of the 2022-23 Professional Development Opportunities is available here. For questions, contact Karolina Belen.

SkillsUSA National Officer Candidates Sought

Becoming a SkillsUSA national officer is the ultimate personal growth and student leadership experience within SkillsUSA, and the 2023-24 National Officer Program Guide and application are now available. Before filling out the application, make sure your candidates carefully review the guide, which explains the qualifications and requirements. Candidates must complete several Career Essentials certifications and SkillsUSA provides the program for national officer candidates at no cost, but you must apply for access by Jan. 16. See the guide for more details. All national officer applications are due by June 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

SkillsUSA Technical Fridays Workshops

Join us for “SkillsUSA Technical Fridays,” a series of virtual workshops led by industry experts to help teachers develop specific technical skills relevant to their career fields. Leave the sessions with new knowledge and skills to implement in the classroom. Learn more about the workshops here. On Jan. 20, from 4-5 p.m. ET, Greg Klever of Penske’s technical school and national partnership relationships will lead a session on “Tires and Brakes” that will uncover the proper tools, inspection, serviceability and troubleshooting for air disc brakes. The workshop is free but space is limited. Register here. If you have questions, contact Karolina Belen.

Honorary Life and Outstanding Educator Nominations Open

If you would like to nominate an individual for recognition as a SkillsUSA Honorary Life Member,  Outstanding Career and Technical Educator, or for the Hall of Champions Award, please complete the online applications here. The deadline is Feb. 15. If you have questions, contact Laura Rauch.

One Application for Many Scholarships

SkillsUSA students can now apply for multiple scholarships by completing just one SkillsUSA scholarship application. Most scholarships are available to both high school and college/postsecondary members. Eligibility criteria for each scholarship is noted on the application so that students know which ones they are eligible to receive. The SkillsUSA master scholarship application is open until April 1 and is available here.  Separately, SkillsUSA students can apply for the Sharon Melton Myers Scholarship until April 1 or the Student Research Foundation (SRF) Community Contribution Scholarship until July 26. For scholarship resources and tips on how to submit a quality application, visit the scholarships page on the website. If you have questions, contact Megan Flinn.

Earn Presidential Honors From Your Service Efforts

At the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students and registered alumni for their community service through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members must submit a record of their service hours. With SkillsUSA’s focus on community service, you may have already met the requirements. For details on how to apply, visit the website. Applications must be received by April 1 for recognition at the 2023 NLSC.

Seeking “Straight-Out-of-High-School” Success Stories

SkillsUSA Champions magazine is looking to feature more success stories about members who embarked on successful skilled trades careers directly out of high school or had their postsecondary education paid for as a result of their association with SkillsUSA. If you know SkillsUSA graduates who fit that description, please contact us. If these students went to work for a partner met through SkillsUSA, we’d love to hear about that, too. Please send a description of your graduate to Office of Communications Associate Director Karen Kitzel.

Need Assistance with SkillsUSA?

Call the SkillsUSA Customer Care Team if you need help in starting a new chapter, registering members, engaging students, or discovering strategies to strengthen an existing chapter. If you have questions or need assistance, team members can help. Call toll free: 844-875-4557 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. ET Tuesday and Thursday, or email customercare@skillsusa.org.

Tasty Fundraising

Many chapters are thinking about fundraising for upcoming state or national conference travel. One idea for a fundraiser that’s easy and delicious is Country Meats. They offer over 12 flavors of smoked snack sticks that can earn your chapter 50% profit. They also offer free samples so that you can see the quality before ordering. Use the code 10OffNew at checkout to save 10% off your first order. Visit Country Meats or call 800-277-8989 for more information.