State Contest Updates
The contest updates page is still being updated please check it for any relevant updates for your contest. Also check the national technical standards via Absorb for any tools or supplies required by the contestant. Note the required clothing does not pertain to state contest. A revised agenda is posted on the state conference site view it here.
Louisiana State Officer Applications
Application for Secondary State officers are now open. Check out the website for details and the web application. Deadline is April 10 before the conference starts. A letter of recommendation from an advisor or administrator is required it can be submitted with the application as an attachment or sent directly to the State Director's email. https://skillsusala.org/state-officers#state-officer-apply
Spotlight Your Students to the Nation on Signing Day!
CALLING ALL CHAPTERS! SkillsUSA National Signing Day (NSD) registration is OPEN! Register online by March 29 to receive chapter grant and scholarship opportunities, free Signing Day T-shirts, hats and more! Visit the Signing Day Resources Hub to download an event planning toolkit, social media toolkit and many other resources to help you plan a powerful celebration your school and community won’t forget! Get all the info at signingday.skillsusa.org. Early bird registration opened March 13 and runs through March 29. Registration closes April 23. Help us show the nation the future is in good hands … because it’s in SKILLED hands! Signing Day is sponsored by the Lowe’s Foundation, State Farm® and Constellation. Click the image above to watch the new Signing Day video!
Signing Day “Early-Bird” Registration Benefits!
Register for SkillsUSA National Signing Day by March 29 to gain access to some great swag and other opportunities. Here’s a list of what’s available for early-bird Signing Day registrants. Learn more at signingday.skillsusa.org.
National Signing Day chapter opportunities
· Signing Day supply bundles valued at $500 will be awarded to 10 chapters (schools must register five or more students and complete the supply bundle application by March 29 to be eligible).
· Signing Day school grants of $250 will be awarded to 25 schools to enhance their event (schools must register five or more students and apply by March 29 to be eligible).
Early registrant opportunities
· Signing Day Starter Kit: Signing Day table runner, pack of 10 certificates, 10 pens, while supplies last (schools must register five or more students).
· Signing Day T-shirts: The first 2,000 student registrants receive a National Signing Day T-shirt.
· Signing Day Baseball Caps: The first 1,000 student registrants receive a National Signing Day cap.
· Lowe's Gift Cards: The first 100 advisors receive a Lowe's gift card (schools must register five or more students).
SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Deadlines
Exploring and applying for SkillsUSA scholarships has become a seamless process. SkillsUSA student members can discover eligibility criteria, scholarship amounts and applications in one location: SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Hub. Please encourage your SkillsUSA student members to apply and take advantage of these incredible scholarships!
These scholarships close on April 15:
● Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship
● The AHRI Clifford "Ted" Rees Memorial Scholarship
● The Fieldpiece #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship
● The Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship
● The Larry Rash Memorial Scholarship
● The Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship
● The National Technical Honor Society Scholarship
Scholarship closing on May 6:
● 2024 Robert Flint Student Leadership Development Scholarship for Leverage Conference
NLSC scholarship open March 23 to May 22 only:
● Harbor Freight Tools for Schools (applicants can receive up to $1,500 to attend the 2024 National Leadership & Skills Conference)
Closing May 31:
● The Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship
To learn more about these scholarships and gain tips on how to submit a quality application, visit the SkillsUSA Scholarships and Grants webpage. If you have questions, contact Jordan Sewell.
Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teacher Excellence
Applications are now open for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence awards. The prize 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. In 2024, Harbor Freight will award $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers and their programs. In 2023, the prize recognized 16 SkillsUSA instructors as winners. Applications must be received by May 3. Finalists will be announced June 11 and winners will be announced this fall.
Big Scholarship Opportunities for College/Postsecondary Students
The Horatio Alger Association is offering 500 career and technical education scholarships at up to $2,500 each to students who’ve overcome obstacles and wish to pursue a career and technical education at an accredited, nonprofit college/postsecondary institution. The deadline to apply is June 17. Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer. Visit their website for full information and to apply.
Press Release Template for State Conference Participants
New on the SkillsUSA Advocacy site is a press release template for state conference participants and their advisors to share competition results with your hometown media. Parents, instructors, students or anyone can send these emails. Please spread the word about SkillsUSA in your community. Share this advocacy resource link at your school and at your state conferences. For questions, email Jane Short.
Presidential Honors for Selfless SkillsUSA Service
At the 2024 NLSC, SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students and registered alumni for their community service through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members must submit a record of their service hours. With SkillsUSA’s focus on community service, your students may have already met the requirements! For details on how to apply, visit the website. Applications must be received by March 31 for recognition at the 2024 NLSC.
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 complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to perform the national anthem. Apply by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 2. For questions, contact Melinda Lloyd.
NLSC 2024 Courtesy Corps Members Needed
SkillsUSA needs National Courtesy Corps (NCC) members to support the 2024 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). This much-appreciated group supports the technical committees and the overall conference experience, and it’s a great way for students to network with industry partners and other SkillsUSA students from across the nation. NCC members receive free housing, local transportation, meals and free NLSC registration. NCC participants are housed at the Georgia Tech Woodruff Residence Hall in Atlanta. An advisor must also join the Courtesy Corps team and serve as a chaperone for their participating students. NCC candidates should seek approval of their state SkillsUSA director. For eligibility and timeline requirements, visit the National Courtesy Corps webpage. For questions, contact Boyd Hestand. The deadline for nominations is May 1. Candidate status notification will be sent to each NCC nominee by May 9. Along with conference attendee information, this email will include an acceptance form if a position on Courtesy Corps is available.
College Gable Grants from Lowe’s
The Lowe’s Foundation has launched Gable Grants: a commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Through the Gable Grants program, the Lowe’s Foundation will provide $50 million over the next four years to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofit organizations. Those funds will help prepare 50,000 job-ready skilled tradespeople to build a stronger infrastructure that supports communities for the long term. Lowe’s is looking for community and technical colleges working to increase the number of young and diverse people in the workforce, especially from underrepresented and rural communities. Lowe’s is currently accepting unrestricted grant applications from community and technical colleges through March 31.
Postsecondary Leaders Can Apply for a Fellowship at Advance CTE
Advance CTE is searching for state career and technical education (CTE) leaders working in postsecondary education, industry or workforce development for Cohort Three of the Postsecondary State CTE Leaders Fellowship at Advance CTE, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation. Learn more about the 15-month fellowship by attending an informational session with Fellowship lead and senior advisor at Advance CTE, Dr. Kevin Johnson, Sr., on March 28 from 1-2 p.m. Watch the recruitment video and read more about the fellowship. For questions, contact Amy Hodge or Dr. Kevin Johnson. Applications close April 5.
International Opportunity for Young Social Entrepreneurs
WorldSkills — along with their partner the HP Foundation and support from UNESCO-UNEVOC — has announced that applications for BeChangeMaker 2024 are open. BeChangeMaker is a series of social entrepreneurial skill training projects that enable youth between 18 and 35 years old with skills and great ideas to explore their career potential as a social entrepreneur. A total of 30 teams will be chosen to participate in three months of virtual coaching, training and online pitch competitions to select the top five teams that will present during WorldSkills Lyon 2024 in September. The winning teams will receive cash awards plus additional customized post-program coaching. See the Official Rules and apply here by May 25. For questions, contact WorldSkills Projects and Member Services Manager Oliver Dubois du Bellay