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SkillsUSA Instructors Recognized by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence

LEESBURG, Va. — Harbor Freight Tools for Schools has awarded $400,000 in teaching excellence awards to seven SkillsUSA instructors from across the country in the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The prize, launched in 2017, recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the teachers who inspire students to learn skills to prepare for life after graduation. Excellence is defined through the program as teachers who love their subject matter, exhibit a high degree of knowledge and skill in their trade area, implement a curriculum matched to a relevant... Read More

Carhartt’s “Every Day is Labor Day” Online Event Raises More Than $300,000 for SkillsUSA!

We are thrilled to announce that SkillsUSA received a total of $316,509 from Carhartt as a result of their “Every Day is Labor Day” online event on Labor Day, Sept. 7. As part of the event, all online sales of Carhartt clothing and merchandise from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. were donated fully to SkillsUSA. “As an Official Sponsor of SkillsUSA since 2000, Carhartt has proudly supported SkillsUSA’s role in helping thousands of hardworking people every year find a rewarding path into the skilled trades — a commitment that will continue well into the future,” said Mark... Read More

State Farm® Supports SkillsUSA in 2020 with Virtual Training Programming and Resources

Leesburg, Va. — In 2020, State Farm Insurance Companies provided $200,000 in support for SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit focused on workforce development. The grant supported the mission of SkillsUSA and several national programs that help SkillsUSA instructors and their students become world class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. Thanks to the support of State Farm, SkillsUSA was able to focus on the development of virtual training to help grow its local chapters. Instructors received the latest information and tools in employability skills training, leadership development and teaching strategies. In 2020, State Farm supported: Virtual training to replace conference initiatives. Read More

2020 WLTI Canceled

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, SkillsUSA has decided to cancel the 2020 Washington Leadership Training Institute, originally scheduled for September 19-23 in Washington, D.C. This decision was made first and foremost with the health and safety of our members in mind, and it was informed by the guidance and advice of our nation’s medical and infectious disease experts. While we understand and share in the disappointment this decision may cause (especially in light of so many other local, state and national SkillsUSA events that have been affected by this pandemic), we believe it is ultimately the... Read More

SkillsUSA Instructors Finalists for the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence

Leesburg, Va., July 27, 2020 — Nineteen SkillsUSA instructors are among 50 teachers and teacher teams from across the country who have been named as finalists for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. Their high school trades programs are in the running for a share of $1 million in total cash awards. The SkillsUSA finalists include: Arizona: Jeremy Tarbet, Canyon del Oro High School (Automotive) California: Brent Tuttle, La Mirada High School (Welding) and Nicholas Jordan, Montecito High School (Construction) Colorado: Brian Manley, Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (Automotive) Georgia: Dave Darden, Cedar Shoals High... Read More

2020 Fine Homebuilding Scholarship Winners Announced

Fine Homebuilding has awarded 14 #KeepCraftAlive scholarships to SkillsUSA members studying in construction-related fields who plan to continue their education for the 2020-21 academic year. The $2500 scholarships can be used for further education including community college, undergraduate programs or industry certifications. The scholarship fund was created by Fine Homebuilding to address the skills gap, a disparity between the employment demands of a growing housing industry and a shortage of trained qualified labor. The 2020 winners are: Alabama — Wesley Boyd and Joseph McDaniel from Gadsden Community CollegeCalifornia — Wayson Lee, Folsom High SchoolGeorgia — Zebulon Floyd, Savannah Technical CollegeIdaho — Johnathan Lockwood, Kootenai Technical Education CampusKentucky — Alaina... Read More

SkillsUSA Members Serve Local Communities and Receive Prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Leesburg, Va.—SkillsUSA members from 13 states have been recognized for their outstanding community service this year. SkillsUSA, as an official certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), recognized the members for individual or team service efforts. PVSA is a national honor issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States. The award recognizes the best in the American spirit and encourages all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. Gold, silver and bronze awards are based on the number of documented volunteer... Read More

Official Statement from SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis – June 12 Update

June 12, 2020 Dear SkillsUSA members and supporters, Last week, I delivered an official statement reflecting SkillsUSA’s position on longstanding racial inequities and injustice in our country. Words alone, however, quickly ring hollow without specific, measurable actions to support them. With that in mind, I want to share some of the specific actions SkillsUSA has already taken related to our commitment to inclusion and diversity, along with some of the actions we’re currently preparing to take. Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness is one of the 17 Essential Elements that make up the SkillsUSA... Read More

Workforce Education at the 10,000 Feet and 1 Foot Levels

Retired executive director Timothy Lawrence has written a reflection essay about his career in workforce development and the power of programs like SkillsUSA in changing lives, no matter what the age of the student. Check it out. Read More