When it comes to career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) that deal specifically with the skilled trades, SkillsUSA is the largest in the United States.
SkillsUSA membership has reached the highest levels in our history, with more than 413,000 student and teacher members.
The map below represents the locations of the thousands of SkillsUSA chapters across the United States. Click the image for a closer look. The information below reflects data from 2023.
Blue dots = middle and high school chapters
Red dots = college/postsecondary chapters
Green dots = private school chapters
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*includes middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions
The National Career Clusters® Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality career and technical education (CTE) programs through learning and comprehensive programs of study. In total, there are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing more than 79 Career Pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career. The list below organizes the current SkillsUSA Championships national competitions by career cluster. SkillsUSA recommends that each state review its department of education resources, as competitions may connect to multiple career clusters based on local industry alignment.
The SkillsUSA Championships also identifies competitions that demonstrate SkillsUSA Framework skills universal to all career clusters. These leadership and occupationally related competitions are open to SkillsUSA members, regardless of their training program area. Some of our occupational-leadership competitions may also be listed under a national career cluster associated with a comprehensive program area of study.
The national SkillsUSA Technical Standards outline the eligibility requirements for each competition which are aligned to the occupational objectives of the competitor’s program of study.
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Focused on the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.
SkillsUSA competitions in the cluster:
Careers in designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and providing education and training services, and related learning support services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning and performing government functions at the local, state, and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
The management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care, and consumer services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical and professional careers related to the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment, and facility maintenance.
SkillsUSA competitions in this cluster:
Eligibility is not tied to a specific Career Technology Education Career Cluster. The competitions listed below provide an opportunity for SkillsUSA members to demonstrate related SkillsUSA Framework skills through a competitive process.
SkillsUSA competitions in this area:
