FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Jane DeShong Short or Karen Kitzel
703-777-8810, jshort@skillsusa.org or kkitzel@skillsusa.org
Technology Helps SkillsUSA Career and Technical Education Students Prepare to Successfully Compete at SkillsUSA Competitions
Leesburg, Va. — SkillsUSA and Pearson have launched a new SkillsUSA Championships app designed to support middle-school, high-school and postsecondary students as they compete in the program that showcases the nation’s best and brightest students in career and technical education.
For each contest, the new “SkillsUSA: Clothing and Tools” app includes an overview, clothing requirements, and eligibility and safety guidelines, as well as lists the specific tools, equipment or materials that contestants need to provide. The app is available now in both the Apple Store:
http://apple.co/2dtlb8d and the Google Play Store:
http://bit.ly/2e5fRec.
The new app is completely free for students, instructors and business partners who want to learn more about what clothing and tools are required at the state and national levels of competition. This is a great starter resource that connects users to the full
SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards through SkillsUSA’s membership site.
In addition to showcasing students’ skills, the SkillsUSA Championships provides future employers with an opportunity to see dedicated, motivated potential employees at work. In 2017, there will be more than 6,000 contestants in 100 separate contests. The event is a $36 million investment by business and industry in the form of industry-donated time, equipment, materials and prizes and is one of the largest single days of corporate volunteerism in America. SkillsUSA contests begin locally during the school year and winners progress to the state level, with more than 10,000 events held nationwide. State-level gold medalists are eligible to compete at the SkillsUSA Championships in Louisville, Ky., June 19-23, 2017. While state-level rules and regulations vary, all state competitions rise up to the national technical standards. SkillsUSA wants as many students as possible to take advantage of this new app in order to be better prepared for both state and national events.
“Through this collaboration with Pearson, we have developed an important tool to support students as they demonstrate excellence in career and technical education and prepare to enter the workforce,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “Thousands of students will use the app each year as they prepare for competition. We strive for our members to be job-ready, and this app will help students prepare for events that are an important step in their career goals.”
Pearson and SkillsUSA are long-term partners, and this collaboration is another example of joining forces to support students. “Career and technical education prepares students for a wide range of high-demand jobs in today’s workforce and provides them with skills that will last a lifetime. By developing this app with SkillsUSA, Pearson is helping to provide thousands of students from around the country with resources to help them shine the spotlight on their accomplishments,” said Leah Jewell, managing director of career development and employability at Pearson.
The app is an important resource for students and advisors, but it does not replace the full set of rules and regulations. Starting this year, the
SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards will be provided as a member benefit to all SkillsUSA professional members who register with a valid email address and are tied to a school. The
2017-18 SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards and other materials including
Jump into STEM! and the
Career Readiness Curriculum (CRC) will be provided to professional members at no charge through a digital delivery system using access codes.
About Pearson
Pearson is the world’s learning company, with expertise in educational courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Its mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. Pearson believes that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more, visit:
www.Pearsoned.com.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 technical, skilled and service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, planned and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to:
www.SkillsUSA.org.
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