SkillsUSA National Signing Day Earns National Recognition

On May 4, SkillsUSA celebrated a successful SkillsUSA National Signing Day, working with industry partners to highlight the value of skilled trades careers. The nationally recognized event spotlighted career and technical education students for their dedication to career readiness and their commitment to forge a career path in a trade they’re passionate about. Hundreds of SkillsUSA schools in 27 states and Puerto Rico participated in the 2021 event — most virtually, but some in-person — honoring students across the country. This year’s partners for SkillsUSA National Signing Day were The Home Depot, Klein Tools,... Read More

SkillsUSA National Signing Day Celebrates Skilled Trades

SkillsUSA celebrated SkillsUSA National Signing Day today, working with industry partners to highlight the value of skilled trades careers. The nationwide events recognized career and technical students for their dedication to career readiness and their commitment to their future career plans.

Fine Homebuilding Scholarships Recognize Excellence in Craftsmanship and Pursuit of Construction Trades Careers

SkillsUSA Students Can Help Close Skills Gap Leesburg, Va. — SkillsUSA and Fine Homebuilding have teamed up for a fifth year of partnership to offer a scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA members. Passionate SkillsUSA members studying in construction-related fields are eligible for one of multiple $2,500 scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year. Selections are based on an application, a 300-word essay and a letter of support from a teacher, administrator, SkillsUSA advisor or mentor. The funds can be used for further trade education including community colleges, undergraduate programs or industry certifications. Read More

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Supports SkillsUSA Students as they Demonstrate Career-Ready Skills

Grant Covers Scholarships and General Support Leesburg, Va. — More than 500 students from across the United States will receive scholarships to attend a national career skills event online thanks to a grant from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. The $115,000 grant will support SkillsUSA in their general operations and will provide scholarships for students participating in the Connect to My Future and National Leadership and Skills conferences in May and June 2021. The events feature students who have won state competitions in various skills contests and have advanced to the national competition. They will be tested in 106... Read More

Covid-19 Forces Vocational Schools to Adjust

It’s hard to learn to restrain a cat for an X-ray. It’s even harder by video, said Morgan Sylvester, who is studying veterinary radiology remotely this year. “In the past, we’ve been given stuffed animals to help show us how to position different animals, but it’s hard to learn remotely,” said Ms. Sylvester, 17 years old, a high-school senior at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, Mass. Read the full story from the Wall Street Journal. Read More

Viega Supports SkillsUSA to Champion Workforce Development, Help Close Skills Gap

Helps Students to Demonstrate their Skills Leesburg, Va. — Viega LLC has announced support for SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit focused on workforce development. The 2021 sponsorship will support the mission of SkillsUSA and the manufacturing career cluster of the national SkillsUSA Championships. The Viega Group is among the leading manufacturers of pipe fitting installation technology. In the U.S., Viega LLC employs more than 600 people and offers more than 3,000 products. The Viega sponsorship will support the following group of manufacturing-related SkillsUSA competitions in 2021: Additive Manufacturing; Automated Manufacturing Technology; CNC Milling... Read More

The Swinerton Foundation Supports SkillsUSA to Champion Workforce Development, Close Skills Gap

Leesburg, Va. — The Swinerton Foundation, headquartered in Concord, Calif., has announced support for SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit focused on workforce development. The 2021 sponsorship will support the mission of SkillsUSA and several national programs that help SkillsUSA instructors and their students become world-class workers, leaders and responsible Americans. Thanks to this partnership with The Swinerton Foundation, SkillsUSA will receive support for SkillsUSA Works Chapter Grants for local chapters, the architecture and construction cluster, and the Meet the Employer event. “SkillsUSA salutes The Swinerton Foundation for this partnership,... Read More

Centuri Group, Inc., Supports SkillsUSA to Champion Workforce Development, Help Close Skills Gap

Assists Students to Train and Demonstrate their Skills Leesburg, Va. — Centuri Group, Inc., has announced support for SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit focused on workforce development. The 2021 sponsorship will also support several national programs that help SkillsUSA instructors and their students become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. Thanks to Centuri’s partnership, SkillsUSA will receive support for valuable programs which benefit students and teachers. “Centuri is stepping up to support America’s future skilled workforce,” said SkillsUSA’s executive director Chelle Travis. “Our students deserve this opportunity to receive useful leadership training and showcase their technical... Read More

More people with bachelor’s degrees go back to school to learn skilled trades – The Hechinger Report

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Putting on hazmat gear for the first time turns out to be a long-drawn-out process, so the trainees who are practicing this new skill make the time go faster with a little clowning around. “Smile! Work it! Work it!” one shouts at a classmate as she jokingly strikes glamour poses for photos in a heavy vapor suit with rubber boots, two layers of gloves, a respirator and a 26-pound breathing tank. Another compares the get-up to the uniforms worn by the child-detection agents in the movie “Monsters, Inc.” Read the full story on The... Read More