SkillsUSA provides unmatched opportunities for middle school, high school and college/postsecondary students to build a solid foundation for career and life success. Joining SkillsUSA is one of the best decisions students can make as they explore, develop and build on their education and career pathways.
Just the self-esteem, my sense of worth that came from the personal development that SkillsUSA allowed me to put into myself … it just gives me a confidence unlike anything else I can quantify.
— ANTHONY MITCHELL, FORMER SkillsUSA STUDENT
Middle school students, joining SkillsUSA will open a world of future career opportunities you never knew existed, and that could ignite a passion for a specific skill you may want to pursue as a career someday. You’ll also begin to develop the leadership skills that will set you up for success in high school and life in general. All the while, you’ll make new friends, experience new things, grow in exciting new ways … and have a ton of fun!
High school students, there are so many options for you to consider when deciding what student organizations to join, but there is no student organization that’s more committed to your personal and professional success than SkillsUSA. As a member, you’ll grow in ways you never thought possible. Along with developing your technical skills in your career area of study, you’ll develop life-shaping leadership skills (communication, teamwork, goal setting and more) that will set you up for success in life. You’ll gain opportunities for travel and other new adventures, compete with your peers, access unique scholarship opportunities, serve your communities through service projects and more. Even better, you’ll be doing all that within a supportive, encouraging community of peers and dedicated SkillsUSA advisors. Whether you’re headed to college or right into the workforce after graduation, SkillsUSA is your launch pad for success.
College/postsecondary students, whether you’re preparing for your future career, looking to advance in your current career or even exploring a career change, make SkillsUSA your student organization of choice. As a member, you’ll gain access to advanced levels of skills training and leadership development, including opportunities to network with industry professionals, compete with your highly skilled peers (on the local, state and national levels), gain recognition for individual achievements, secure internships and so much more. Your resume will reflect proven, real-world training and experience with the leadership skills to match. That combination makes you the type of graduate industry is desperate to hire. As a college/postsecondary student, you’re focused on your immediate future, and SkillsUSA is focused on your success.
I would say SkillsUSA has totally changed the way I teach. Through SkillsUSA, we set our students up to be miles ahead of adults applying for jobs. My students develop integrity by being held accountable. SkillsUSA has truly made me a better instructor.
— GLORIA HOUSTON, ADVISOR
Teachers and advisors, you are true heroes, and the countless hours you selflessly devote to the success of your students is just one of many examples of that heroism in action. So, with already-heavy schedules, what inspires tens of thousands of teachers and advisors to join SkillsUSA each year as professional members?
The answer is simple: SkillsUSA isn’t an “add-on” to what you do — We’re an ally. Through SkillsUSA, instructors enhance their curriculum, network and partner with industry, access transformative professional development, gain opportunities for state and national recognition, lead their students through industry-created competition experiences (on the local, state and national levels), serve their communities, connect the classroom to the real world and (believe it or not) more!
Best of all, you’ll be supported every step of the way through curated content, tools and resources that are easy to implement in any learning environment. You’ll be part of a nationwide network of students, teachers and industry that’s committed to your ongoing success and the success of your students.
Everything I’ve wanted, I’ve been able to set up. I love what I do, I have a beautiful family … and SkillsUSA was definitely the root of all this.
— MATT DIBARA, FORMER SKILLSUSA STUDENT
Parents, careers in the skilled trades are among the most in-demand, high-paying and highly skilled careers available today, and that’s for two reasons. Number one, these skills are essential to keeping our nation moving, and America was reminded of that in a big way during the pandemic. Secondly, there’s a skills gap affecting nearly all skilled trades industries, where millions more jobs are available than graduates willing and able to fill them.
That’s why there’s also never been a better time to be a member of SkillsUSA, America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. SkillsUSA is closing that skills gap with graduates who are career ready, day one: ready to work, ready to lead and ready to make a difference in their schools, communities, workplaces and our nation.
Through SkillsUSA, your child will develop high-level technical skills in whatever skilled area they’re studying (we represent 130 of those areas). At the same time, they’ll be developing life-shaping leadership skills from our SkillsUSA Framework of Personal, Workplace and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics: teamwork, communication, goal setting, integrity, responsibility, professionalism and more. That combination creates what we call “The SkillsUSA Difference” — students with confidence, career clarity, personal and professional pride, and the courage to step outside their comfort zones.
SkillsUSA students also experience opportunities to travel, participate in leadership and competitive events and conferences, meet new people, make new friends, network with industry, access scholarship opportunities, gain industry-validated credentials and so much more. They’re supported every step of the way by an encouraging community of peers and dedicated SkillsUSA advisors committed to their personal and professional success.
To get your student involved, have them ask their instructor or SkillsUSA advisor when the next SkillsUSA chapter meeting will be held, or contact your state SkillsUSA director to find chapters in your area. No chapters in your area? Check out the 12 Steps to Start a Chapter section of our site or contact the SkillsUSA Customer Care Team at 844-875-4557 or customercare@skillsusa.org for information.
SkillsUSA has served over 15 million difference-making members since our founding in 1965. Are you one of them? Your journey in SkillsUSA doesn’t have to end after graduation. Everyone is welcome to join the SkillsUSA Alumni & Friends Association! Whether you are a graduating senior, a former member, an instructor, a school administrator, a parent or a business and industry partner, there will always be a role for you in SkillsUSA.
Get connected with your local chapter, volunteer at a national event, judge a competition, help with future SkillsUSA initiatives … or just stay connected with all the latest SkillsUSA news. Join the Alumni and Friends Association today. It’s free, it’s easy, and it will keep you connected to an organization that made a positive difference in your life or the life of someone you love!
Want to reach out to your state SkillsUSA director for alumni opportunities in your state? Browse our state association director page for contact information.
Join our SkillsUSA Alumni & Friends Association Facebook page for more information and to reconnect with old friends and memories.
SkillsUSA is a student-led organization, and that shines through when chapters hold a SkillsUSA Recruitment Week. The week is designed to empower chapter leaders to recruit potential new members through a series of activities and events that promote SkillsUSA throughout their school.
Below, you’ll find links to a series of both Advisor and Chapter Leader resources to help you plan and conduct your own successful SkillsUSA Recruitment Week. Show your friends, colleagues and classmates why you love SkillsUSA and why joining SkillsUSA is one of the best decisions a student can make on the road to personal and professional success.
