SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students. We empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.
Representing over 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Our mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, which is integrated into classroom curriculum.
Through the Framework, SkillsUSA students hone their hands-on skills against current industry standards in more than 130 occupational areas, from 3D Animation to Welding and nearly everything in between. At the same time, they develop the transformative career-readiness skills — teamwork, communication, professionalism, leadership and more — that fuel career and life success.
A vital solution to the ongoing skills gap, where more highly skilled jobs are available than skilled professionals ready to fill them, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million diverse, difference-making members since 1965.
SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.
SkillsUSA’s vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.
The success of SkillsUSA’s mission depends on the commitment of our staff and stakeholders to the following values:
We are consistent and authentic in word and action to each other, our members and the communities we serve.
DEI focus: SkillsUSA engages marginalized communities to understand local needs. We act to center equity in our work.
Respect is foundational. Our self-awareness precedes our ability to connect with each other and our members while mutually valuing our unique experiences.
DEI focus: SkillsUSA does the internal work necessary to enter into respectful and empowering relationships with diverse communities.
We are accountable to the whole of our organization, from internal staff to our diverse group of stakeholders. Through listening, learning and acting, we engage in our shared commitment to realizing a collective vision.
DEI focus: As a career and technical education leader, SkillsUSA embraces our responsibility to remove barriers to opportunity, access and participation for traditionally underserved communities.
We value and belong to a diverse community. We strive to do our best in service through continuous reflection and growth.
DEI focus: SkillsUSA engages marginalized communities to understand their needs. We advocate for equity to influence systemic action and localized service.
SkillsUSA acts through the willing service of staff and committed volunteers to empower its members and their communities to reach their highest potential.
DEI focus: SkillsUSA works in partnership with marginalized communities, mindful of its position and responsibility to create opportunities for impact.
SkillsUSA’s mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics. The foundation for everything we do, the Framework is the blueprint for career-readiness. It’s a common language for students to explain to their peers, employers, school administrators and parents what they gain from SkillsUSA.
A total of 17 “Essential Elements” are divided among the Framework’s three components. What’s an Essential Element? It’s a specific skill identified as crucial to success by the more than 1,000 industry partners who helped create the Framework.
SkillsUSA strives to ensure inclusive participation in all of our programs, partnerships and employment opportunities. In SkillsUSA, diversity encompasses differences in race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition status, national origin, age, physical and mental ability, thinking styles, experience and education. We strive to make all members, partners and employees feel welcomed and valued in the SkillsUSA family. SkillsUSA believes in treating all people with respect and dignity. We want SkillsUSA to be regarded as a membership organization of choice that encourages all individuals to be involved.
