Recording of Town Hall Meeting
The recording for the Town Hall Meeting was recorded and uploaded to the website under the "Advisor Forum" . Only advisors are allowed access to the forum. The "Advisor Forum" is designed to be a place where advisors can ask questions, and have insight from others. It can also be a FAQ .
To view the forums log in as a member to the state site, then the Director will Approve you as a Advisor to the site. https://www.skillsusala.org/forum
SkillsUSA Membership is Open — Join Early as a Professional
The SkillsUSA registration site is officially open for the 2023-24 school year and advisors should join now so they receive all mailings and emails about programs and opportunities. Professional members receive many resources and benefits when they submit membership with a valid email address: The Framework Integration Toolkit ensures career readiness within your classroom, training program and chapter; the Program of Work Toolkit includes resources to help implement an effective and successful Program of Work; the “Jump into STEM!” curriculum provides an opportunity to engage elementary and middle school students in STEM learning; and the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards are the official regulations for the SkillsUSA Championships career competitions. E-Courses and advisor professional development provide a variety of training options. National dues for professional members are $20 plus state dues which vary. Check for your state’s dues and deadlines.
Apply Now for Construction Trades Lowe’s Grants
Lowe’s is providing $250,000 in new grants for SkillsUSA chapters. The grants are for up to $15,000 per chapter to upgrade classroom tools or equipment; purchase additional materials and supplies for students; or to obtain equipment, materials and supplies to conduct a community service project. These grants are for the construction cluster, including Cabinetmaking, Carpentry, Electrical Construction Wiring, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), Masonry, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Welding and Architectural Drafting. All funds must be spent at Lowe’s stores. Applications are open and must be submitted by Sept. 30. Successful applicants will be notified by Oct. 30 and projects must be completed by June 1, 2024. For questions, contact Laura Rauch.
Supporting the Trades is in Fashion
SkillsUSA partners Tractor Supply Company, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation and Carhartt are launching a new “Support the Trades” apparel collection to help advance skilled trades in the U.S. The Carhartt collection is sold exclusively at Tractor Supply in stores or online. The clothing line includes short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts in several colors, plus three ball caps and two knit hats. For every item sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to SkillsUSA. Support the Trades first launched in 2021. Order your “Support the Trades” merchandise now and help spread the word by showcasing your attire on social media and tagging SkillsUSA! For more information, check out the new “Support the Trades” video.
CHARGE: A SkillsUSA Chapter Officer Video Series
Advisors work hard to teach their chapter officer teams how to be successful leaders. SkillsUSA recognizes the challenge and has developed a program that makes it easier to create a strong chapter officer team. CHARGE is a weekly video series that covers topics that chapter officers will find useful in the day-to-day management of their local SkillsUSA chapters. Each CHARGE video features an activity guide to support chapter officer growth and development. There are 12 three-minute episodes in the series. Access CHARGE here.
Local Chapter Recruitment Resources are Available
Check out the SkillsUSA Recruitment Week resource hub to learn how your chapter leaders can successfully plan activities to engage potential new SkillsUSA members. You’ll also find advisor resources to coach chapter leaders around recruitment and engaging potential new members. Holding a chapter recruitment activity is a Chapter Excellence Program Level 2 indicator, so utilizing these resources can be one extra step in achieving chapter excellence.
Free Career Essentials Support for Instructors
If you are beginning your journey with Career Essentials this school year, support from SkillsUSA is available every step of the way! Instructors can call 844-875-4557 or email careeressentials@skillsusa.org for assistance with:
· Ordering Career Essentials for your students
· Developing an implementation plan
· Creating administrative accounts for new instructors
· Logging into your account
· Using the dashboard to monitor progress and performance
· Learning more about Career Essentials or the Absorb learning management system
If you are interested in learning more about using Career Essentials to define, implement and measure the development of career-readiness skills in your classroom, register for a Career Essentials overview here.
Are you ready to take your SkillsUSA knowledge to the next level? SkillsUSA’s Fall Professional Development offerings include new advisor training, Framework integration, SkillsUSA Advantage report, local competition guide and more. Check out our training website and use this form to sign up for your selected sessions.
Use Self-Motivation, Communication, Teamwork and Planning, Organizing and Management to serve and lead their chapter members.
Lead chapter members in their development of Framework skills through intentional incorporation of the skills in chapter Program of Work activities.
Implement a four-step process of planning high-quality and successful chapter activities that align with a Program of Work category and include goals, Essential Element instruction, a plan to achieve, and an evaluation.
Elevate is open to all SkillsUSA chapter officers but at least one advisor must participate with each registered team. Participate right from your classroom, and the cost is only $10 per participant. Registration closes Sept. 22. Learn more and register on the SkillsUSA website.
Join us for “Technical Fridays,” SkillsUSA’s virtual workshops led by industry experts helping teacher
s develop specific technical skills relevant to their career fields of interest. Leave the sessions with a new skill to implement in your classroom. Learn more about the workshops here. On Sept. 15, from 4-5 p.m. ET, we will offer a STEM-themed session titled, “Fundamental Skills for Multiple Industries.” Snap-on and NC3 will explore the various industry-recognized competency-based certifications that can be applied to multiple industries. The session will focus primarily on torque fundamentals, hand-tool identification, safety and proper usage and precision measuring instruments. Workshops are free of charge. Register for the sessions online (space is limited). If you have questions, contact Karolina Belen.
CHANNELLOCK Skilled Trades Site and Contest
SkillsUSA partner CHANNELLOCK hosts a “Trades 101” website that highlights the incredible benefits of a skilled trades career. On the site, students can explore trade schools, tips for choosing the right trade and steps to enter a trade field. In addition, CHANNELLOCK is holding a Trade School Trade-Up national initiative aimed at giving CTE programs across the country a chance to win shop makeovers and tools to foster learning success. Contest entries are due by Oct. 13.
Share Your Champions
The SkillsUSA Champions magazine staff is always looking for potential feature stories to share with SkillsUSA Nation. If you know of a SkillsUSA student, advisor, industry partner or graduate whose story would be motivating and inspirational, please submit the information through our online form.
Plan Now for Manufacturing Day
Many SkillsUSA chapters participate in Manufacturing Day, a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation. While the official 2023 Manufacturing Day is celebrated on Oct. 6, you can hold events on any date in October. Activities for students may include a plant tour, a virtual industry tour
or an event on campus that highlights manufacturing. SkillsUSA chapters should share their Manufacturing Day photos and stories with Brooke Gatchell, SkillsUSA’s social media specialist.
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