Friday Flash Jan 16, 2026
- Jeremy Boudreaux
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
2026 Louisiana State Leadership and Skills Conference UPDATE
The dates are set and the time is coming!
March 18-20, 2026
Lafayette, Louisiana
Feb 27, 2026, Regular Registration Submission due
March 3, 2026, Hotel Registration Deadline
March 7, 2026, Late Registration (+$10.00 Ea.)
March 13, 2026, All Payments Due
March 17, 2026, All Online Test due
Wednesday March 18,2026
• Opening Session 1 PM (ULL Student Union)
• Some Contests Begin after (ULL Student Union)
Thursday March 19, 2026
• Contest All Day (South Louisiana Community College)
Friday March 20, 2026
• Awards TBD (ULL Student Union)
See more information in the Big Letter.
Also Emailed to lead advisors already, If you believe you missed email Mr. Boudreaux.
SkillsUSA Week is Coming: Are You Ready?
It’s time to get energized for SkillsUSA Week, February 2–6! This is an exciting opportunity for your chapter to plan activities that raise awareness of SkillsUSA, increase member engagement, and recognize the educators and industry partners who support student success. SkillsUSA Week is a time for members to strengthen their skills and showcase how SkillsUSA plays an important role in personal and professional growth.
To get started, explore the SkillsUSA Week resources. You’ll find ready-to-use artwork, a printable daily themes flyer, sample activities, a draft news release, a school morning announcement script, and more to help make planning easy and impactful.
Chapters can also request a virtual visit from SkillsUSA national officers during SkillsUSA Week. On February 3, national officers are available to join students for 30-minute sessions, providing greetings and taking your group through a fun lesson. Be sure to complete the virtual visit request form by January 30. Space is limited, and visits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Introduction to the Chapter Excellence Program Session Monday — Register now!
New to the Chapter Excellence Program (CEP)? This session introduces how CEP helps chapters plan meaningful activities while reinforcing SkillsUSA Framework skills. You’ll learn what’s required to achieve Levels 1 and 2, and explore how your chapter can be recognized for creating a high-quality experience for students.
Monday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET (60 min.)
Register Members by the March 1 Deadline
The national SkillsUSA membership deadline is March 1. Student members must meet both state and national membership deadlines to be eligible for national competitions, to serve as voting delegates or to run for national office. This deadline also applies to national scholarships, awards and honors. For information on state membership deadlines, visit the State Association Dues and Deadlines link.
Professional members, it isn’t too late to take advantage of your 2025-26 membership benefits, including access to these resources:
Professional Member Resources:
SkillsUSA Pathful: a dynamic digital platform that supports career exploration and connects students with industry professionals through live and on-demand content
SkillsUSA Framework Integration Toolkit
SkillsUSA Program of Work Toolkit
Xplore
SkillsUSA Technical Standards
E-Courses (SkillsUSA Framework Certification, CTE Knowledge Certification and Building Self-Motivation in Student Leaders).
Advisor Professional Development
SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Scholarships Are Open!
Many students are thinking ahead to the cost of college and SkillsUSA offers exclusive scholarship opportunities for members pursuing postsecondary education. Registered SkillsUSA members with upcoming tuition expenses for the fall 2026 academic term can apply for scholarships provided by SkillsUSA and our industry partners.
Scholarships now open include:
· Clifford “Ted” Rees Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)
· Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)
· Larry Rash Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)
· Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship ($1,500, closes April 17)
· NAPA/SkillsUSA Transportation Repair Pathway Scholarship ($2,500, closes June 30)
· National Technical Honor Society Scholarship ($1,000, closes April 17)
· Sharon Melton Myers Memorial ($1,000, closes April 17)
SkillsUSA partners with Kaleidoscope to provide a streamlined application platform. Students are encouraged to explore the SkillsUSA Scholarships webpage now to view available opportunities and more will be posted soon. For scholarship questions or assistance in applying, reach out to Customer Care.
Take Up the Challenge! National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design
SkillsUSA is offering the 2026 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge to all dues-paying student members. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for the 2026 NLSC. The challenge is open now, entries must be received by February 1 at midnight ET, and winners will be announced on February 7. Download the rules below:
SME Foundation Scholarships
The SME Education Foundation awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in technical fields that directly support manufacturing. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2026. If you have already registered on the site, use your email and password to login. If you have not registered, please complete SME’s registration form to set up an account and begin your application. With more than 60 scholarship programs, the SME Foundation provides both merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students including women and under-represented communities. The Foundation awards nearly $1 million dollars in scholarships each year and has awarded $18 million dollars to over 5,000 future industry leaders since 2005. By submitting one application, you will be considered for all SME Foundation scholarships for which you are eligible.
Seeking Musical Talent to Perform National Anthem at NLSC
Do you have a musical gift to share with the SkillsUSA community? If so, apply to perform the national anthem at the Opening Session of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference this June. The chosen performer will be offered a performance opportunity on the big stage in front of over 15,000 people plus complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to perform the national anthem. Apply here by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 30, 2026. For questions, contact Melinda Lloyd.
Building the “Toolbelt Generation”
Mike Simon turned a childhood love of digging in the dirt into a social media empire. Now, the man behind “Dirt Perfect” is using his 250,000+ subscribers to rebrand the skilled trades for a new generation. From his “leap of faith” business launch to judging national championships, discover how Mike is proving that the trades are a first-choice career. Read Mike’s Story on the SkillsUSA Champions hub.
Share Your Community Service Stories with SkillsUSA!
The SkillsUSA Champions digital hub provides new content frequently, from inspiring features to stories about the great work chapters and partners are doing. We know your chapters are doing some amazing community service work this holiday season and we would love to write about it. To submit a story idea, send us the details through our “Submit a Story” link, and we’ll contact you.
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