SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA | |
---|---|
SkillsUSA Logo (2004–present) | |
Motto | Preparing for leadership in the world of work. |
Formation | 1965 |
Type | Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) |
Headquarters |
14001 SkillsUSA Way Leesburg, Virginia, USA 20176 |
Membership | 307,052 (2009) |
Executive Director | Timothy W. Lawrence |
Website | http://www.skillsusa.org/ |
SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 320,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.
History
SkillsUSA was originally known as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA). Prior to 1965, attempts at what national skill organizations failed. There was still a demand for skill and trade organizations, however. In 1960, the American Vocational Association (AVA) held a meeting, where a committee was formed to facilitate a solution. Representatives from the U.S. Office of Education and the National Association of State Supervisors of Trade and Industrial Education (NASSTIE – now known as the Association for Skilled and Technical Sciences – ASTS – http://www.astsonline.org) formed the committee. By 1962, the AVA encouraged the Office of Education to hire an employee to form the national organization. At the 1964 AVA convention, powerful leaders of industry and organizational leaders to include U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Secondary School Principals spoke in favor of the proposed organization.
By 1966, membership was up to 29,534, spanning 1,074 clubs across 26 states and territories. Additionally, the first issue of the club's magazine was produced.[1] At the national conference, held in Little Rock, Arkansas, the VICA emblem was unveiled, and the first official state charters were presented.[2]
In 1969, the Postsecondary Division of VICA was approved during a Constitutional Convention held in Memphis, Tennessee,[2] bringing total membership to 82,000.[1] The following year, the first edition of the VICA Leadership Handbook. was published.[1]
On VICA's ten-year anniversary (1975), the organization inducted its one millionth member. Three years later, VICA saw the start of the construction of its National Leadership Center in Leesburg, Virginia.[1]
In 1995, the national competition, then known as the United States Skill Olympics, was renamed to the Skills USA Championships during the NLSC. In, 1999, during the NLSC, VICA was renamed to SkillsUSA-VICA; The name was shortened to SkillsUSA in 2004.[1]
Membership
SkillsUSA has more than 335,000 student members nationally, organized into more than 10,000 chapters and 54 state and territorial associations (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands). Membership continues to grow rapidly.
Approximately 16,389 teachers and school administrators serve as professional SkillsUSA members and instructors.[4] More than 1,100 corporations, trade associations and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA on a national level through financial aid, in-kind contributions, and involvement of their people in SkillsUSA activities. Many more work directly with state associations and local chapters.[4]
SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions. During the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, more than 5,400 students compete in 96 hands-on skill and leadership contests.
SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the classroom[5][6] and is cited as a "successful model of employer-driven youth development training program" by the U.S. Department of Labor.[7]
Curricular
The Professional Development Program (PDP) teaches 76 workplace skill competencies in a series of hands-on self-paced lessons.
Student2Student Mentoring gives high school students a chance to mentor younger students.
CareerSafe is a credentialed 10-hour online training program developed in cooperation with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide students with basic knowledge of safety and a credential desired in the job market.
The Career Skills Education Program (CSEP) contains 49 online lessons teaching basic employment and life skills to college/postsecondary students.
The SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System is a comprehensive tool to help students document entry-level skills as defined by industry and accepted by state education policy. Developed under a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant, the Work Force Ready System will feature 47 industry-driven assessments.[8][9]
National Leadership and Skills Conference
The National Leadership and Skills Conference is held annually in Kansas City, Missouri. Most of the competitions are held at Bartle Hall Convention Center, on the showroom floor. The other competitions are held at Municipal Auditorium, American Royal Center, and the Marriott (including the historic Muehlebach Tower), Radisson and Phillips hotels, located downtown. SkillsUSA members, delegates and advisors stay in 23 separate hotels in the Kansas City area. The week-long conference entails the competitions, TECHSPO (the nation's largest trade show in trade and industrial education), a career fair, and SkillsUSA student government sessions.
As of 2015, the NLSC will be held in Louisville, Kentucky for six years.[10] The new location was decided by a competitive bid among 25 other cities which included Orlando, Houston, and Atlanta. The future attendance projections along with the contract with Kansas City set to expire in 2015 prompted the relocation. Louisville also has historical significance as it served as the home of SkillsUSA (called VICA at the time) from 1982 to 1984 and from 1991 to 1993. The SkillsUSA Championships is expected to bring in $12 million to Louisville's economy.[11]
Students from the various state associations socialize and learn from one another during the week. Each state association has collectible pins that are often traded between students from various state associations. These pins are normally worn on the official SkillsUSA blazer.
There are recreational activities scheduled during the conference week, including a SkillsUSA night at Worlds of Fun. Other activities include the Kansas City Zoo, Oceans of Fun and the Kansas City Speedway racetrack tour.
The week culminates in the awards presentation. At the awards ceremony, the NLSC also plays host to a keynote speaker. There have been a number of noteworthy speakers. Some of them include:[1]
- Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States
- Lou Holtz, former football coach, currently a college football analyst for ESPN.
- Chuck Yeager, retired Air Force general, one of three persons believed to be the first to break the sound barrier.
- Janet Evans, record-breaking American competitive swimmer.
- Mary Lou Retton, medaling American Olympic gymnast.
- Dick Vitale, former college and professional basketball coach, currently and most known for sports commentator.
- Terry Bradshaw, former professional football quarterback.
- Dan Jansen, a former speed skater, best known for winning a gold medal in his final Olympic race.
- James Lovell, a retired Navy captain, best known as the commander of Apollo 13.
- Joe Engle, a retired Air Force colonel, most notable as a distinguished NASA astronaut.
- Terry Bowden, a college football analyst/commentator, motivational speaker and former college football coach.
- Wendy Venturini, a reporter for SPEED's pre-race show, NASCAR RaceDay.
- Stephen Paletta, philanthropist and winner of Oprah's Big Give.
- Mike Holmes, host and creator of Holmes on Homes, which airs on HGTV in the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany.
- Mike Rowe, former host of Dirty Jobs.
Contests
SkillsUSA offers competitive activities in which students strive to achieve in a variety of occupational skill and leadership areas. Competition in skill and personal achievement is encouraged at all levels. Leadership contests include public speaking, parliamentary procedure, safety, Opening and Closing ceremonies, and job interviewing. Occupational skill contests include the building trades, health occupations, automotive technology, the electrical/electronics industry and personal services. Among many others, there are competitions for outstanding SkillsUSA chapter, community service, entrepreneurship and customer service.
Competitions begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. Some states also have district competitions. In most contests at the national championships, SkillsUSA presents medallions to the top three winners. In other contests, more than three medals may be presented if a standard is met. State and local contests may include the official national contests, but may also include contests not offered at the national level.
The contests are organized and run through a partnership of industry, labor and education. These partners provide awards as well. More than 5,500 students – winners from their states – compete in the $35-million national event, which covers exposition space equivalent to 16 football fields.
SkillsUSA is the official U.S. representative to the WorldSkills Competition. Select winners from the SkillsUSA Championships train for one year before competing at the biennial internationals. SkillsUSA competitions develop enthusiasm for learning and a sense of accomplishment. By recognizing students’ skills and abilities, the competitions promote professional development and appreciation of quality job skills. The events also stimulate public, and specifically student, interest in career and technical training.[12]
Students may participate in three types of contests: Leadership, Occupationally Related, and Skilled and Technical Sciences. Demonstration contests are added to determine interest. If interest is sufficient, demonstration contests can become official competitions and are added to one of the three categories.[13]SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards 2010.
Leadership[14]
- Action Skills
Competition Year(NLSC: Secondary) | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Lebanon County Career & Tech Center, Lebanon, PA | Diman RVTHS, Fall River, MA | Pike County JVS, Piketon, OH | |
2005 | Roosevelt High School, Yonkers, NY | Claiborne County Vocational School, New Tazewell, TN | Bethlehem AVTS Northampton, Northampton, PA | |
2006 | Sun Area Career and Technology Center, New Berlin, PA | Hickman County High School, Centerville, TN | Pittsylvania Vocational Center, Chatham, VA | |
2007 | Conroe High School, Conroe, TX | Diman RVTHS, Fall River, MA | Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL | |
2008 | Claiborne High School, New Tazewell, TN | Franklin County Tech, Turners Falls, MA | W M Davies Junior Career Tech High School, Lincoln, RI | |
2009 | Montachusett Regional Vo-Tech, Fitchburg, MA | East Hickman High School, Lyles, TN | Centennial High School, Roswell, GA | |
2010 | Montachusett Regional Vo-Tech, Fitchburg, MA | Sun AreaTechnical Institute, New Berlin, PA | East Hickman High School, Lyles, FL | |
2011 | Center of Applied Tech North, Severn, MD | Lake City High School, Lake City, SC | Southern High School, Louisville, KY | |
2012 | Bethlehem AVTS, Bethlehem, PA | Center of Applied Tech North, Severn, MD | Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL | |
2013 | Sun AreaTechnical Institute, New Berlin, PA | Diman RVTHS, Fall River, MA | Career And Technology Center, Independence, MO |
Competition Year(NLSC: Post Secondary) | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Community College of RI, Warwick, RI | First Coast Tech Institute, St. Augustine, FL | East Central Technical College, Fitzgerald, GA | |
2005 | Abram Friedman Occupational Center, Los Angeles, CA | Marchman Technical Education Center, New Port Richey, FL | N/A | |
2006 | Central Oklahoma Technology Center, Drumright, OK | Sarasota County Tech Institute, Sarasota, FL | N/A | |
2007 | Central Oklahoma Technology Center, Drumright, OK | Lake Career & Tech Center, Camenton, MO | Texas State Tech College-Waco, Waco, TX | |
2008 | Caribou Regional Applied Tech Center, Caribou, ME | Texas State Tech College-Waco, Waco, TX | Central Oklahoma Technology Center, Drumright, OK | |
2009 | Central Oklahoma Technology Center, Drumright, OK | Texas State Tech College-Waco, Waco, TX | Sarasota County Tech Institute, Sarasota, FL | |
2010 | Sarasota County Tech Institute, Sarasota, FL | Lamar Institute of Tech, Beaumont, TX | Canadian Valley Tech Center, El Reno, OK | |
2011 | Penobscot Job Corp, Bangor, ME | Sarasota County Tech Institute, Sarasota, FL | Tulsa Technology Center Lemley Campus, Tulsa, OK | |
2012 | Sarasota County Tech Institute, Sarasota, FL | Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, MO | Tulsa Technology Center Broken Arrow Campus, Broken Arrow, OK | |
2013 | Slawson Occupational Center, Bell, CA | Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT | Hunterdon County Polytech Central, Flemington, NJ |
- American Spirit
- Chapter Business Procedure
- Chapter Display
Competition Year(NLSC: Secondary) | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Burlington County Medford, Medford, NJ | Canadian Valley Technology Center-El Reno, El Reno, OK | Canadian Valley Technology Center-El Reno, Perkasie, PA | |
2005 | Burlington County Medford, Medford, NJ | Sullivan South High School, Kingsport, TN | Allegan County Area Tech & Education Center, Allegan, MI | |
2006 | Harris County High School, Hamilton, GA | Ashtabula County JVS, Jefferson, OH | Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Sewell, NJ | |
2007 | Sullivan South High School, Kingsport, TN | Bethlehem AVTS Northampton, Northampton, GA | Harris County High School, Hamilton, GA | |
2008 | Bethlehem AVTS Northampton, Northampton, GA | Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, NY | Mingo County Vo Tech Center, Delbarton, WV | |
2009 | Bethlehem AVTS Northampton, Northampton, GA | Calvert Career Center, Prince Frederick, MD | South Broward High School, Hollywood, FL | |
2010 | Mingo County Vo Tech Center, Delbarton, WV | Greater Lowell Tech High, Tyngsboro, MA | Huntsville Center For Technology, Huntsville, AL | |
2011 | Sullivan South High School, Kingsport, TN | Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, UT | T H Badger Vocational Center-South, Onley, VA | |
2012 | Greater New Bedford RVTHS, New Bedford, MA | Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, UT | Sullivan Central High School, Blountville, TN | |
2013 | Duncanville High School, Duncanville, TX | Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Sewell, NJ | Lewiston High School, Lewiston, ID |
Competition Year(NLSC: Post Secondary) | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | Sheridan Vo-Tech Center, Hollywood, FL | |
2005 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Tulsa Technology Center-Peoria, Tulsa, OK | Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL | |
2006 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Metro Technology Center-South Bryant, Oklahoma City, OK | Sheridan Vo-Tech Center, Hollywood, FL | |
2007 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Northwood High School, Pittsboro, NC | Tulsa Technology Center Lemley Campus, Tulsa, OK | |
2008 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | Saint Paul College, Saint Paul, MN | |
2009 | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | Lake Superior College, Duluth, MN | Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL | |
2010 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | Dakota County Tech College, Rosemount, MN | |
2011 | Lake Superior College, Duluth, MN | Canadian Valley Technology Center, Yukon, OK | Manatee Tech Institute, Bradenton, FL | |
2012 | Central Georgia Technical College, Macon, GA | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | OTEC-Orlando Tech, Orlando, FL | |
2013 | Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, OK | Birchwood High School, Colombia, SC | OTEC-Orlando Tech, Orlando, FL |
- Community Service
- Employment Application Process
- Extemporaneous Speaking
- Job Interview
- Job Skill Demonstration A
- Job Skill Demonstration Open
- Occupational Health and Safety (Single)
- Occupational Health and Safety (Multiple)
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies
- Outstanding Chapter
- Pin Design (State Conference)
- Prepared Speech
- Promotional Bulletin Board
- Quiz Bowl
Occupationally related
- Customer Service
- Engineering Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- First Aid/CPR
- Health Knowledge Bowl
- Health Occupations Professional Portfolio
- Medical Math
- Medical Terminology
- Principles of Technology
- Related Technical Math
- Tech Prep: Natural Resources/Agriculture/Food
- Tech Prep: Business Management and Technology
- Tech Prep: Arts and Communication
- Tech Prep: Health Services
- Tech Prep: Human Services
- Tech Prep: Industrial and Engineering Technology
Skilled and technical sciences
- 3-D Visualization and Animatio
- Advertising Design
- Architectural Drafting
- Audio/Radio Production
- Automated Manufacturing Technology
- Automotive Refinishing Technology
- Automotive Service Technology
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Basic Health Care Skills (HS only)
- Broadcast News Production
- Building Maintenance
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- CNC Milling Technology
- CNC Turning Technology
- Collision Repair Technology
- Commercial Baking
- Computer Maintenance Technology
- Computer Programming
- Cosmetology
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assisting
- Diesel Equipment Technology
- Electronics Technology
- Esthetics
- Firefighting
- Food and Beverage Service
- Graphic Communications
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Industrial Motor Control
- Internetworking
- Major Appliance Technology
- Marine Service Technology
- Masonry
- Mechatronics
- Medical Assisting
- Motorcycle Service Technology
- Nail Care
- Nurse Assisting
- Photography
- Plumbing
- Power Equipment Technology
- Practical Nursing
- Precision Machining Technology
- Preschool Teaching Assistant
- Residential Wiring
- Robotics and Automation Technology
- Sheet Metal
- Screen Printing Technology
- TeamWorks
- Technical Computer Applications
- Technical Drafting
- Telecommunications Cabling
- Television (Video) Production
- Video Product Development
- Web Design
- Welding
- Welding Fabrication
Demonstration Contests
- Mobile Electronics Installation
- Mobile Robotic Technology
- Sustainability Solutions
- T-shirt Design
- Welding Art Sculpture
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "SkillsUSA History". SkillsUSA, Leesburg, VA. Retrieved July 6, 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "SKILLS USA HISTORY". Connecticut SkillsUSA. Archived from the original on April 7, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2007.
- ↑ SkillsUSA-VICA. SkillsUSA-VICA Leadership Handbook (Revised, 1999 ed.). SkillsUSA-VICA, Inc. pp. 10–13.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "SkillsUSA Fact Sheet". SkillsUSA, Leesburg, VA. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ↑ Tom, Gelinas (September 2000). "Best of the Best (Skills USA-VICA National Leadership and Skills Conference and SkillsUSA Championships)". Fleet Equipment 26 (9): pp. 4–5.
- ↑ "Career and Technical Student Organizations". U.S. Department of Education. January 31, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
- ↑ Emily Stover DeRocco (July 16, 2004). "Training Employment and Guidance Notice No. 3-04" (PDF). Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. p. 4. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
- ↑ http://www.skillsusa.org/about/factsheet.shtml
- ↑ http://www.workforcereadysystem.org
- ↑ http://skillsusa.org/about/louisville.shtml
- ↑ http://www.wlky.com/news/15084687/detail.html?rss=lou&psp=news
- ↑ SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook, Twenty-Fourth Printing, Revised, 2010
- ↑ SkillsUSA Championships Contest Descriptions
- ↑ "SkillsUSA Competition Medalists". SkillsUSA.
External links
- Official SkillsUSA website
- SkillsUSA's Work Force Ready System website
- Official SkillsUSA Alabama website
- Official SkillsUSA Arizona website
- SkillsUSA Arkansas website
- Official SkillsUSA California website
- SkillsUSA Colorado website
- SkillsUSA Connecticut website
- SkillsUSA Delaware website
- SkillsUSA Florida website
- Official SkillsUSA Georgia website
- SkillsUSA Hawaii website
- SkillsUSA Idaho website
- Official SkillsUSA Illinois website
- SkillsUSA Indiana website
- SkillsUSA Iowa website
- SkillsUSA Kansas website
- SkillsUSA Kentucky website
- SkillsUSA Louisiana website
- SkillsUSA Maine website
- SkillsUSA Maryland website
- Official SkillsUSA Massachusetts website
- Official SkillsUSA Michigan website
- Official SkillsUSA Minnesota website
- SkillsUSA Mississippi website
- SkillsUSA Missouri website
- SkillsUSA Montana website
- SkillsUSA Nebraska website
- SkillsUSA Nevada website
- SkillsUSA New Hampshire website
- SkillsUSA New Jersey website
- SkillsUSA New Mexico website
- Official SkillsUSA New York website
- www.skillsusanc.org North Carolina website
- SkillsUSA Oregon website
- SkillsUSA Pennsylvania website
- Official SkillsUSA Rhode Island website
- SkillsUSA South Carolina website
- SkillsUSA South Dakota website
- SkillsUSA Tennessee website
- Official SkillsUSA Texas website
- SkillsUSA Utah website
- Official SkillsUSA Vermont website
- SkillsUSA Virginia website
- SkillsUSA Washington website
- SkillsUSA West Virginia website
- Official SkillsUSA Wisconsin website
- SkillsUSA Wyoming website