Friday Flash May 2, 2025

National Leadership and Skills Conference (DEADLINE APPROACHING)

The deadline to register and submit conference registration and participate with the state delegation is Monday May 5, 2025.

This includes access to the monday delegation meeting, Georgia world congress center, opening and closing ceremonies, and the Champions Festival.

Payment should be received by the state office by May 13, 2025.

Hotel Reservation via Passkey system also be due May 13, 2025.

Regular Guest passes not associated with the state delegation will be available after May 19 on the NLSC Mini Site

NLSC DUE DATES:

May 5, 2025 - Submit Registration

May 13, 2025 - Payment Due to me

May 13, 2025 - Hotel Reservations Due

Further information can be found at our state site and national mini-site.

State NLSC Info

National NLSC Mini-Site

Share Your SkillsUSA Signing Day with Us!

SkillsUSA National Signing Day (NSD) is next Tuesday, May 6. This is the day when SkillsUSA chapters celebrate the next generation of skilled professionals as they sign letters of intent to pursue a career or further education in the skilled trades. We are asking all states and local chapters to share their National Signing Day photos, videos and stories so we can highlight your events on our news. Watch for coverage on the SkillsUSA website, e-newsletters and our social media. If you post on social media, use the hashtags #SkillsUSANationalSigningDay and #SignedForSuccess. SkillsUSA National Signing Day is sponsored by the Lowe’s Foundation, 3M, State Farm and NAPA.

Remember, you can hold your chapter event on any day that fits your school calendar and in any style you prefer — one classroom, several programs or the whole school —and there is no charge to participate. National Signing Day resources are available on the SkillsUSA website. Join the excitement of SkillsUSA National Signing Day and recognize your graduating seniors!

Young Craftsman Foundation Tool Awards

The Young Craftsman Foundation is awarding 100 graduating career and technical school students across the U.S. with professional-grade tool packages valued at approximately $1,000 each. This nonprofit initiative is designed to remove barriers for young adults entering the trades by equipping them with the tools they will need to succeed. Applications are open, and recipients will be selected based on their passion, financial need and dedication to their craft. The deadline to apply is May 16.

SkillsUSA’s National Week of Service

Giving back to the community is an important part of SkillsUSA’s Program of Work, which guides chapters on their annual calendar of activities and experiences. All SkillsUSA chapters are invited to plan, promote and conduct a service project during the SkillsUSA National Week of Service on May 4-10, 2025. This event helps commemorate the founding of SkillsUSA on May 8, 1965, and this year is our 60th anniversary. Be sure to publicize your projects to the community via your local media. To locate contact information for area newspapers, use the Advocacy Site. On the site, click on “Media,” enter your ZIP code, and choose up to six outlets. Then, click on “Send a Message.” Fill in your contact information and copy and paste your message into the form. To see the contact information for each outlet, click on the name of the newspaper.

Apply for the 2025 SKILLS JAM Cast

SKILLS JAM invites all creators, builders and doers to submit an audition video for a chance to be featured in the 2025 SKILLS JAM cast! Everyone’s favorite entertainment brand focused on skilled careers content — made for youth, by youth — is coming back to the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta to participate with MORE fun and MORE exciting ways to be a part of the action! (You do not need to attend the NLSC to be selected as a cast member.) See the SKILLS JAM overview for more information.

End-of-Year Chapter Celebration Ideas

The end of the school year provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the growth that has taken place this year. Celebrating gives students a sense of individual and team accomplishment and builds enthusiasm to continue in SkillsUSA next year. Here are a few ideas for your celebration.

·         Host a banquet for the chapter and invite supporters and families. Recognize student members for their leadership roles, demonstrated teamwork and completed projects.

·         Hold an appreciation circle. Individually, each student sits in a chair at the top of the circle, and everyone recognizes that person for their contributions to the chapter or specific projects this year.

·         Plan a fun after school activity: have a cookout at the park, go bowling or play miniature golf.

·         Post photos and write ups about graduating members on a bulletin board in the classroom or hallway.      

·         Write an article for the school newsletter, website or social media and highlight the officers and projects

·         Recognize students at a school assembly, faculty meeting or school board meeting.

·         Place a jar and note cards in the classroom and ask students to write notes of appreciation to each other.

SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Deadlines Near

Please encourage your students to apply for our incredible SkillsUSA scholarships including travel grants to attend the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). SkillsUSA student members can review eligibility criteria, scholarship amounts and applications on the scholarships page on the website. Hold a scholarship meeting to help members with their applications or essay or recommendation letters. For questions, contact our SkillsUSA Customer Care Team.

Scholarship closing on May 2

2025 Robert Flint Student Leadership Development Scholarship for Leverage Conference

NLSC travel scholarships close May 26

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Travel Scholarship (receive up to $1,500 to attend the 2025 NLSC)

Hyundai Travel Grant (receive up to $1,500 to attend the 2025 NLSC)

Scholarships closing on May 30

Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship

SkillsUSA-Aerotek “Make Your Mark” Scholarships

Scholarship closing on June 30

NAPA/SkillsUSA Transportation Repair Pathway Scholarship

 

Apply for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence

Advisors! Applications are open for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades and the high school teachers who inspire students. In 2025, Harbor Freight will award $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers and their programs. In 2024, the prize recognized 12 SkillsUSA instructors as winners. Applications must be received by May 2. Finalists will be announced June 10 and winners will be announced this fall. 

If you are a SkillsUSA professional member who was awarded a Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, we’d love to hear how it enhanced your teaching and program. Email Jane Short and we will connect for an interview at NLSC or via Zoom to learn more and share your success