Since 1965, SkillsUSA has been an integral part of career and technical education with an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of our nation’s skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is the largest organization whose purpose is to serve students preparing for technical, skilled and service careers. Serving as an advisor to a SkillsUSA chapter is one of the most intentional steps you can take as part of your professional career. The impact of this decision on your student members and their future will be life-changing. You’ll find that many of the roles and responsibilities of serving as an advisor support the work you are already doing in the classroom.
Whether you are interested in knowing more about SkillsUSA or thinking of starting or expanding a chapter, this SkillsUSA Membership Guide will provide all the information you need. The guide includes programs, resources and opportunities for you and your students. SkillsUSA also provides advisor support and coaching to help you organize and manage your SkillsUSA chapter.
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Interest in SkillsUSA is growing rapidly in the middle-school community, and activities at the middle-school level have been proven to be very successful. A Guide to SkillsUSA in Middle Schools has been developed to assist middle-school teachers and students.
Middle School Contests
The following competitions are available for middle-school students:
- American Spirit – New!
- Extemporaneous Speaking – New!
- Job Skill Demonstration A
- Job Skill Demonstration Open
- Opening & Closing Ceremonies
- Outstanding Chapter
- Pin Design
- Prepared Speech – New!
- Mobile Robotics Technology
- Robotics: Urban Search & Rescue
- T-Shirt Design – New!
- Team Engineering Challenge (for Middle School only)
Click here to find brief descriptions for all of the SkillsUSA Championships competitions. The official rules for each event are found in the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards.
Note: The competitions referenced here pertain to national competitions. For state and local career competitions, please contact your state association director.
About the SkillsUSA Championships
The SkillsUSA Championships begin at the local level with contests in classrooms nationwide. Winners advance through district, regional and state competition, and only the best make it to the national event. State and local competitions and conferences are managed at the state level, not by the national organization. Students benefit no matter how they place in their contests. The philosophy of the championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs. Students test their skills, frequently make job contacts, and have a chance for recognition. State and national winners receive gold, silver and bronze medallions, scholarships, tools and other awards.
The SkillsUSA Championships event takes place annually and requires more than 1 million square feet of floor space, with more than 6,500 competitors in 106 different events. Business and industry contributes more than $36 million in equipment, supplies and personnel to support the SkillsUSA Championships, which is considered the largest single-day commitment of corporate volunteerism in America. The SkillsUSA Championships brings together industry and labor representatives, educators and the public to watch students compete in leadership and hands-on skill events for a full day. Every other year, a select few are chosen to compete on an international level in the WorldSkills Competition.
The SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards is the official competition guide for the SkillsUSA Championships. It contains rules for all national events, including an overview, lists of technical skills and knowledge required, clothing requirements, eligibility and equipment lists. It also lists the embedded academic skills in math, English and science. Rules for state and local events may vary from the national guidelines, but most competitive events are modeled after the national technical standards. As a free member benefit, SkillsUSA professional members receive the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards when they have submitted a current and accurate email address along with their membership details. The SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards is available online only to professional members as part of their paid membership.
