What is Skills USA Founded in 1965

What is Skills. USA? • Founded in 1965 • Served more than 11. 9 million annual members since its founding • Skills. USA is a nonprofit national association serving middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students and their teachers

What is Skills. USA? • More than 350, 000 member career and technical education (CTE) students and educators partnering with business and industry to ensure that America has a skilled workforce • Organized into more than 17, 000 school chapters and 54 state and territorial associations

Skills. USA Mission Skills. USA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens

33% of employers have unfilled job openings because they can’t find applicants with the necessary skills for the jobs [Unseen Workforce, Unknown Opportunities. Media Planet, USA Today]

31 million people — that’s one quarter of America’s workforce — are employed in one of the 130 occupational titles served by Skills. USA [Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures. Total workforce is 124 million]

74. 9% is the average national freshman graduation rate [U. S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Report to Congress on State Performance, Program Year 2007 -2008]

90. 18% is the average high-school graduation rate for students in CTE programs [U. S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Report to Congress on State Performance, Program Year 2007 -2008]

Skills. USA delivers the solution by living its mission in every student’s life.

What it does • Provides a common language for students to articulate what they gain from Skills. USA participation (chapter activities) • Assesses student skill development along a learning continuum of awareness, demonstration and mastery • Creates a vision for Skills. USA programs at the local, state and national levels to ensure quality student- led experiences that build skills in all members

Why it works • Empowers every student to achieve career success • Delivers a skill set demanded by business and industry but lacking in many employees today • Ensures that every student member receives a consistent and specific skill set

Personal Skills Essential values, personality traits and personal characteristics for success in life • Integrity • Work Ethic • Professionalism • Responsibility • Adaptability/Flexibility • Self-Motivation

Workplace Skills Essential attitudes and abilities for success in the workplace • Communication • Decision Making • Teamwork • Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness • Planning, Organizing and Management • Leadership

Technical Skills Essential knowledge and competencies for success on the job. • Computer and Technical Literacy • Job-Specific Skills • Safety and Health • Service Orientation • Professional Development

Skills. USA Program of Work — Seven Areas • The program of work is created by the members of the chapter to outline activities that they plan to conduct during the upcoming year • Think of it as a plan or map to conduct everything the chapter wants to accomplish

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Professional Development Activities that help students learn leadership and work-related skills o Hosting an industry guest speaker

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Employability Activities that increase members’ awareness of quality job practices, attitudes, opportunities for employer contact and eventual employment o Mock job interviews o Résumé writing workshops

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Community Service Activities that improve the quality of our school and community o A local park cleanup event

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Ways and Means Activities that raise the funds necessary for our chapters to operate

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Championships Activities that provide members with opportunities to demonstrate leadership and technical skills through competitive events o Skills demonstrations during class

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Public Relations Activities that make the general public aware of Skills. USA member accomplishments and contributions to our school, community and the nation o Board of education presentation with video of chapter activities

Seven Areas of the Program of Work • Social Activities that create opportunities for members to meet others in their school and community o Ice cream social

• The Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) honors chapter achievement relative to Skills. USA’s framework of developing personal, workplace and technical skills • Every chapter or section with paid membership is eligible to participate in the CEP, with no fee or cost associated with participation • The CEP application specifically outlines how chapter success is measured • Most likely, your chapter already has an active program of work, and this is your opportunity to be recognized and record your activities • Chapter achieves status as a Quality Chapter; Bronze, Silver or Gold Chapter of Distinction; and the ultimate honor: Models of Excellence

Thanks to State Farm , the Jump into STEM! curriculum provides interactive and memorable sessions • Each session is written to introduce elementary students to different STEM careers and career clusters, and the value of Skills. USA • During the sessions, chapter members introduce themselves, present activities that engage student learning, and share specific career cluster and occupational information • The highlight of each session is an enjoyable, hands-on learning activity. All sessions conclude with a series of review questions. Members also have an opportunity to speak about their Skills. USA experience and present information about the local chapter

• National mentoring program tied to America’s Promise • High school or college student and a younger student — usually middle school • Aim is to encourage younger students to explore future careers

Career. Safe Online Safety Awareness Training • Authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Covers core topics relevant to basic safety in any workplace • Student receives a 10 -hour OSHA wallet card • Valuable credential that the student can take into the job market

Presidents Volunteer Service Award • Way to honor Skills. USA members who demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service • Measured by the number of hours served over a 12 -month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime • Recognizes Bronze, Silver and Gold levels • Candidates must document their volunteer activities and the number of hours served — must keep a diary or timesheet • Recipients receive an official lapel pin, personalized certificate of achievement and a congratulatory letter from the president of the United States

Scholarship Opportunities • Skills. USA members have opportunities for more than $1 million annually in scholarships, contests, awards and honors • Many are tied to the national championships • Each state offers its own awards and scholarships through a state conference Complete scholarship information available at: www. skillsusa. org/membershipresources/scholarships-financial-aid/

Join Skills. USA! For more information on how you can become involved, visit: www. skillsusa. org