Friday Flash May 9, 2025

National Leadership and Skills Conference

Due to a limited number of the 2025 State Pins reminaning they are available for pre-ordering and can be picked up at the hotel in atlanta. They are first come first serve, so don't miss out on your chance on Pin Trading. https://www.skillsusala.org/product-page/2025-state-pin

Registration Payments 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 Travel Scholarships are still available to apply for, see the end of this news flash for details.

NLSC DUE DATES:

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

The SkillsUSA Heritage Hub Has Arrived!

As we celebrate SkillsUSA’s 60th anniversary on May 8, we’re proud to unveil a powerful tribute to our journey: the SkillsUSA Heritage Hub — a vibrant digital collection of historic photos, videos, and memorabilia that tells the story of who we are and how far we’ve come.

At the heart of SkillsUSA is our community — the students, educators, alumni and industry partners who’ve shaped this movement across generations. The Heritage Hub honors that legacy, spotlighting the milestones that defined us, from the founding of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) in 1965 to today’s modern and thriving SkillsUSA. This isn’t just a walk down memory lane — it’s a celebration of a living legacy. Step inside the Heritage Hub to:

• Meet VICA’s founders, leaders and first employee

• Discover rarely seen old photos and unique memorabilia

• Relive unforgettable national conferences and key moments

• Understand the evolution of CTE

• Learn more about SkillsUSA

The Heritage Hub is more than a collection — it’s a movement in motion. These stories don’t just tell us where we’ve been; they inspire where we’re headed. Best of all? YOU can be part of it. Add your voice by sharing your own stories, photos, or memories through the link on the site and join us in honoring the legacy that continues to shape the future of SkillsUSA.

Visit the site at Heritage.SkillsUSA.org.

Apply for SkillsUSA-Aerotek “Make Your Mark” Scholarships!

SkillsUSA students nationwide are encouraged to apply for the SkillsUSA-Aerotek “Make Your Mark” scholarship. The scholarship is for student members who expect direct educational costs for the Fall 2025 term at a community college, technical college, certificate program or apprenticeship program. Applications close on May 30. Recipients will receive up to $5,000 toward tuition, books, tools, on-campus housing or other approved direct educational expenses. Applicants must be engaged in continuing education/career training in one of these pathways: Construction; Manufacturing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics; Telecommunications Cabling Training; and Electronics Technology or Industrial Engineering Technology. Review all eligibility criteria on these flyers in English and in Spanish.

Volunteers and Judges Needed at NLSC

The Office of Workforce Development is looking for unpaid volunteers who can serve as competition judges for the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta .

Volunteers should be available to serve at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta on both Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday, June 26 (schedule TBD). Volunteers are needed to judge Skilled and Technical, Leadership and Occupationally Related competitions including:

·         3D Visualization and Animation

·         American Spirit

·         Baking and Pastry Arts

·         Community Service

·         Community Action Project

·         Dental Assisting

·         Extemporaneous Speaking

·         Internet of Things (IOT)- Smart Home

·         Job Skill Demonstration A & Open

·         Nurse Assisting

·         Opening and Closing Ceremonies

·         Outstanding Chapter

·         Prepared Speech

·         Quiz Bowl

If you are an educator or partner who will be at NLSC who does not have student competitors and would like to assist, please complete the SkillsUSA Volunteer Interest Form. If you have questions, contact Brandon Hudson.

Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship Winner

SkillsUSA offers one annual merit-based $1,500 scholarship to a state officer for college/postsecondary education in memory of Marsha Daves, a former SkillsUSA state and national leader. The scholarship honors Marsha’s legacy by recognizing how student leaders are empowered by the skills they have gained through SkillsUSA, and how the skills they develop help them become better team members, leaders, employees, and community members. This year’s winner is Marli Novy, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, Wis.

Learn How to Embed Energy Education into Existing Programs

Join us on Thursday, May 15 for an engaging and informative session focused on the evolving landscape of energy and natural resources education. We’ll begin with a CEWD update and an overview of the Get Into Energy website, followed by the latest on the Energy & Natural Resources National Career Cluster and content standards across primary, secondary and postsecondary levels. Discover what’s new with EIF 2.0, including current adoption efforts, the Accenture project and innovative tools like LaunchPad and the “Match.com” platform. The session will also highlight NCCER's Energy Core before closing with an open discussion to share insights and ideas. Join the call by Zoom at 1 p.m. Pacific Time at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87108975104?pwd=lWZuKURgZNMVjQ3L3TUWh280Rh4F7z.1. Meeting ID: 871 0897 5104. Passcode: 6thBjE.

NTHS Scholarship Winners

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) annually awards four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members who are also members of NTHS. Here are this year’s winners:

·         Thomas Marshall, Greater Lowell Tech High, Mass.

·         Jayden Sandoval, Dauphin County Technical School, Pa.

·         Scott Mull, Tennessee College of Applied Tech-Knoxville, Tenn.

·         Corina Stewart, Savannah Technical College, Ga.

Share Your SkillsUSA Signing Day with the Nation

SkillsUSA National Signing Day (NSD) on May 6 was a national celebration for our future skilled professionals and the skills that will always be essential. On Signing Day, thousands of SkillsUSA students across the country signed letters of intent to pursue a career in the skilled trades. See the photos and videos we’ve received so far and continue to share your photos, videos and stories so we can highlight your events on our news and social media channels. If you post on social media, use the hashtags #SkillsUSANationalSigningDay and #SignedForSuccess. SkillsUSA National Signing Day was sponsored by the Lowe’s Foundation, 3M, State Farm and NAPA.

 

SkillsUSA Scholarship Application Deadlines Coming Soon

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.

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