Skills USA mobile logo
Join

SkillsUSA Shines on Capitol Hill: Celebrates 60 Years of Empowering the Nation’s Workforce

Published: May 13, 2025
Image for SkillsUSA Shines on Capitol Hill: Celebrates 60 Years of Empowering the Nation’s Workforce

SkillsUSA marked a major milestone on May 8 with a high-profile celebration on Capitol Hill, honoring 60 years of excellence in career and technical education (CTE). The event brought together a powerful coalition of SkillsUSA members, alumni, national officers, industry leaders, and lawmakers to reflect on the organization’s six-decade legacy of transforming students into skilled professionals.

In a show of bipartisan unity, U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced a congressional resolution commemorating SkillsUSA’s impact on over 15 million students since its founding in 1965. “SkillsUSA is on the front lines of closing the skills gap,” said Rep. Thompson, co-chair of the Congressional CTE Caucus. “Their work ensures our workforce is not just ready — but thriving.”

Rep. Stevens echoed the enthusiasm: “SkillsUSA empowers students and energizes our economy. From Michigan to every corner of America, it’s helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.”

The celebration featured inspiring remarks from SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis, as well as prominent voices from Aerotek’s DJ Jordan, Maureen Tholen from 3M, Leigh Creech from Lowe’s Companies Inc. and Nick Moore from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career Technical and Adult Education. Former SkillsUSA national officer Ambuja Sharma moderated the discussion. Their remarks underscored SkillsUSA’s powerful role in bridging education and employment, and in preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers that drive the American economy forward.

“Celebrating 60 years of SkillsUSA is more than marking a milestone — it’s honoring the incredible people and partnerships that have shaped our movement,” said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. “We’ve grown from a small group with a bold vision to the nation’s #1 workforce development organization for students — a thriving community united across education, industry and government. As we look ahead with our Drive to 65 strategic plan, we remain committed to equipping the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders. Together, we are building a future that honors our past and elevates the power of skills for decades to come.”

View the event photo album featuring highlights by Craig Moore and Lloyd Wolf.

Related Stories

June 24, 2025

DEWALT Partners with SkillsUSA to Support America’s Future Tradespeople

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, and SkillsUSA, the largest student-led workforce development organization in the U.S, today announced a partnership to help support America’s future tradespeople.
June 18, 2025

Chef William-Allen Peterson Culinary Arts Foundation Partners with SkillsUSA to Support Culinary Student Success at the SkillsUSA Championships

SkillsUSA has announced a new partnership with the Chef William-Allen Peterson Culinary Arts Foundation to support the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships Culinary Arts competition.

Search News Room:

Media Contacts

For more information about SkillsUSA, contact:

Clare Briner (Media Inquires)

Director, Marketing and Communications
703-737-0625

Jane A. DeShong Short (SkillsUSA press releases and information)

Senior Manager, Public Relations/Communications
703-737-0612

SkillsUSA Inc. is a national nonprofit and tax-exempt student organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, Section (501)(c)(3).

SkillsUSA is committed to a learning and working environment free from all forms of discrimination. Learn more.

Customer Care
844-875-4557 | customercare@skillsusa.org

Mailing Address
673 Potomac Station Dr., PMB #809
Leesburg, VA 20176

Copyright and Trademark / Privacy Policy

Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe for SkillsUSA

View More
Kayleen-McCabe-2016-300x200

Kayleen McCabe PSA

Kayleen McCabe PSA