Friday Flash Sept 11, 2026
Remembering September 11 — 25 Years Later
Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. We remember the lives lost and honor the first responders, service members, and everyday Americans who demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness.
Their actions remind us of the SkillsUSA Framework values of responsibility, teamwork, integrity, and service—and the importance of using those values to make a difference in our communities.
We remember. We honor. We serve.
Louisiana Fall Leadership (FLC)
This years fall leadership will have a venue change and take place in Baton Rouge, LA. The dates are November 16 - 17. 2026. The venue is the Hilton Capitol Center Baton Rouge with mondays Lunch and Dinner to be provided in the registration fee. Further information regarding registration will be publish soon.
New SkillsUSA Membership Handbooks are available for purchase NOW!
The SkillsUSA Member Handbook: Your Guide to SkillsUSA Success
$6.50 under 49; $5.95 order of 50+
The foundation for every SkillsUSA member, the handbook answers the “why” behind their experience. Inside, students discover:
· The history, purpose and mission of SkillsUSA
· The SkillsUSA Framework
· Opportunities for leadership, service and workplace learning within the Program of Work
· How chapter participation drives personal and professional growth
· Practical ways to become an active, engaged member
Orders can be placed in the shopping cart here.
Ed Resources Store Has a New Look!
The SkillsUSA Educational Resources store has moved! Educational resources are now available through the same shopping experience as Career Essentials resources.
Take a moment to bookmark the new store for the membership year.
Once there, select the “Physical Educational Resources” tab at the top of the page to browse available printed materials.
TPP members: Your shopping cart will also display your available TPP spending balance, making it easier to see and use your funds when placing an order.
September SkillsUSA Pathful Challenge
This month's SkillsUSA Pathful Challenge invites students to complete the Interest Assessment and the SkillsUSA Framework Essential Elements Self-Assessment to discover career pathways that align with their interests, identify their strengths, and build a personalized career plan.
After completing both assessments, students will submit a short reflection for a chance to win exciting prizes!
Challenge Deadline: September 23, 2026
Click here for full challenge details, submission instructions, and prize information.
The Careers in Your Community Challenge is Now Open
The U.S. Department of Education has launched the Careers in Your Community Challenge, the fourth challenge in its CTE Momentum series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education (CTE). The challenge invites high schools to propose solutions that improve career exploration at their schools. Submissions are due by Nov. 19, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET, and up to 10 winning teams will receive an equal share of the $50,000 prize pool.
Ready to get started? CTE teachers can review the challenge details, selection criteria and available resources with students, then work together to identify opportunities to strengthen career exploration at your schools. Subscribe to the CTE Momentum newsletter for challenge updates and reminders.
Don’t Miss Out! Back-to-School Display Challenge Sponsored by Simple Green®
Twenty SkillsUSA Chapters that create and host an informational display table by Oct. 1 are eligible to receive a special giveaway from Simple Green®, featuring products selected especially for their CTE program. Official rules, submission guidelines and full details are available on the Back-to-School webpage.
SkillsUSA Hope Fund Applications Now Open
Applications for the SkillsUSA Hope Fund are now open for the new membership year.
The Hope Fund provides support to current, active SkillsUSA members and chapters facing unexpected hardships. Funding is available to:
• Assist SkillsUSA members experiencing a financial or personal crisis that may impact their education or career pathway.
• Assist SkillsUSA chapters affected by natural disasters with recovery needs.
Applications must be submitted by a SkillsUSA state director or chapter advisor.
Applications and additional information are available on the SkillsUSA Scholarships page or through the Hope Fund application.
Industry Insider: Showcasing Your Future with IBM
Explore how technology is shaping careers across industries while learning more about in-demand techpathways and the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Join SkillsUSA and IBM for an exclusive Industry Insider session showcasing the FREE career exploration resources available through IBM SkillBuild.
During this interactive virtual event, students will hear directly from industry professionals, spanning roles in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics, explore emerging technology careers, and learn how IBM SkillBuild can help them build valuable skills for the future. We encourage students and advisors to have their computers nearby so they can actively participate and explore the available courses in IBM SkillsBuild during the session!
Date: September 17, 2026
Time: Noon - 12:50 p.m. ET
Audience: Students and advisors
Registration Details
Already a SkillsUSA member? Log in to SkillsUSA Pathful and register for the event here.
SkillsUSA Pathful is SkillsUSA’s all-in-one career-readiness platform and an exclusive benefit of SkillsUSA membership, connecting students and educators with career exploration, work-based learning and career-readiness resources.
Not a SkillsUSA member? You can still participate! Register for the event here.
Interested in accessing SkillsUSA Pathful and other exclusive member benefits? Learn more about joining SkillsUSA here.
Explore IBM Resources
Advisors, share these resources with your students and encourage them to explore the following activities: Your Future in AI, Your Future in Data, and Your Future in Cybersecurity.
John Deere Partnership: Technical Session
John Deere is here to help! Join us for a technical session focused on diesel equipment technology, skilled trades, and career pathways.
Thursday, October 8 | Noon – 12:50 p.m. ET
SkillsUSA Pathful LMS
Educators will explore John Deere resources and support for instructors and programs, including a basic electrical lesson and demonstration, the John Deere TECH Program, dealership career pathways, and opportunities to connect with local John Deere dealerships.
Register
Already a SkillsUSA member? Log in to SkillsUSA Pathful and register for the event here.
SkillsUSA Pathful is SkillsUSA’s all-in-one career-readiness platform and an exclusive benefit of SkillsUSA membership, connecting students and educators with career exploration, work-based learning and career-readiness resources.
Not a SkillsUSA member? You can still participate! Register for the event here.
Interested in accessing SkillsUSA Pathful and other exclusive member benefits? Learn more about joining SkillsUSA here.
John Deere is ready to partner with SkillsUSA educators and help prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
Going Up: Elevating the Future Workforce
The elevator industry hires about 3,000 new apprentices every year, but getting students to notice such a specialized trade is no easy task. So when the National Elevator Industry Inc. wanted a fresh way to connect with future workers at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, it went looking for someone who already knew the SkillsUSA stage: a national champion in pin design.
Louisiana graphic designer and SkillsUSA alumna Madeleine Guillory took on the challenge, turning a niche technical field into a collectible trading pin with a retro twist. Find out how one small pin created a big buzz, and why industry leaders say SkillsUSA students stand out from the crowd.
Read the full 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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