Active Advisor News: March 2021
Resilient SkillsUSA Week Changes Lives
From Feb. 7-13, SkillsUSA Week shined a national spotlight on how our chapters across the country contribute to their local communities all year long. For just a few of the inspiring examples of the activities highlighting this proud week, click here.
Celebrate Your Students on National Signing Day
On May 4, 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. Get involved by hosting a signing day event at your chapter. It’s a great way to involve partners, administrators, elected officials, alumni and more in your program while showcasing the success of your students. Learn more about National Signing Day here, and visit SkillsUSA CONNECT for free tools to host your own event.
“Connect to My Future” Conference Debuts in May
SkillsUSA’s new “Connect to My Future” career conference will be held May 5-6. The career-focused experience for students will foster meaningful connections with industry partners that are relevant to future careers. Individual program tracks have been created for middle school students; high school freshman, sophomores and juniors; and high school seniors and college/postsecondary students. Registration opens March 15. Learn more about Connect to My Future here.
National Conference Schedule Now Available
SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference may be virtual this year, but genuine excitement is building. Along with a full SkillsUSA Championships, the conference will include delegate sessions, national officer elections and exciting opportunities for leadership development, professional development and member/chapter recognition. Click here for the full NLSC schedule of dates and activities. Registration will be open April 12-May 14.
Share Your Success with Other Champions
The SkillsUSA Champions digital hub is an online digital publication highlighting outstanding members and chapters. One of the newest stories spotlights Ben Falconer, a student member who set out to win a gold medal in Automotive Refinishing and ended up with an incredible career restoring some of the most expensive cars in the world. (Yes, he got the gold, too.) Share your own chapter news or feature ideas through the hub for the chance at your own moment in the SkillsUSA Champions spotlight.
Schedule a Career Essentials Demo
Interested in SkillsUSA’s Career Essentials curriculum, but need a better understanding of how it fits within your training program? SkillsUSA offers free one-on-one demonstrations. Register for a free session here, and a coach will schedule the 15-minute demo.
New SkillsUSA Member Handbook Available
SkillsUSA has released the new SkillsUSA Member Handbook (formerly the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook), the official guide to help members run successful local chapters. The completely revised handbook — both visually and editorially — includes tools to help students weave the SkillsUSA Framework into their chapter’s annual Program of Work.
2021 National Officer Candidate Information
Becoming a SkillsUSA national officer will lead a student to truly life-changing opportunities, and the 2021 national officer candidate application and program guide are now available. The deadline for national officer applications is 6 p.m. ET on June 1.
Scholarship Deadlines Approaching
Deadlines are approaching for several scholarship opportunities, including the National Technical Honor Society Scholarship (April 2) and the Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship (April 15). Applications for the #Keep Craft Alive Scholarships are due May 30. For all scholarships: SkillsUSA scholarships.
Gain National Attention for Student Mentoring
SkillsUSA’s Student2Student mentoring program offers the opportunity for chapters to mentor elementary or middle-school students while encouraging younger students to explore future careers and make decisions that will lead to marketable skills and productive futures. If your chapter already participates in the program, you can receive national recognition, including a $500 check, for your efforts. Click here to enter your chapter for consideration. Hurry, entries are due by April 1.
Get Recognized for Community Service
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families and groups for their sustained level of community service over a 12-month period or even a lifetime. As a certifying organization for the award, SkillsUSA is authorized to grant the national honor to qualifying chapters. Award winners will be recognized at SkillsUSA’s national conference this June. Learn more about how to apply here. Deadline is April 1.
