Held in Washington, D.C., each September, SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute conference (WLTI) offers students and advisors from across the country unique opportunities to advocate for the skilled trades while receiving advanced leadership training.
Other WLTI events include tours of D.C.’s famous monuments and museums, panel discussions with government officials, a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and more.
However, the highlight of the four-day event is when student delegations conduct in-person visits with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to advocate for SkillsUSA and career and technical education. During those visits, students share the value and benefits of SkillsUSA participation through their own personal experiences. They also deliver passionate appeals for continued career and technical education support. Congressional leaders come away from these special visits inspired by the promise of a new generation, and students leave with a newfound sense of pride, purpose and confidence that their voices both matter … and make a difference.
WLTI is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the hundreds of students who participate each year.
SkillsUSA strives to make our gatherings, events and competitions accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation for WLTI, please notify us so we can work together. Email: accessibility@skillsusa.org
For SkillsUSA members attending WLTI this year, check out this section for resources on how to make your congressional visits as effective as possible and to help you follow up afterward.
Advisors, please go over the following information with WLTI delegation members during state planning time:
Congressional Visit Materials
Each state will be given a set of leave-behinds for your congressional visits. Extra materials are available in WLTI Headquarters if needed and you can include small state gifts if you like. Your leave-behind packet should include:
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
