January 2025: What’s Up Washington?
January 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to an exciting new year with SkillsUSA Washington! This month’s newsletter is packed with opportunities, updates, and resources to help you achieve your goals. From paid internships with Boeing to scholarship deadlines, advisor trainings, and SkillsUSA Week celebrations, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to review the 2025 Proposed Constitution Amendment and stay connected by downloading our app for the latest updates. Let’s make this year one to remember!
What’s New 🤩
Join Boeing for the 2025 Summer Manufacturing Student Development Program
Students enrolled in Core Plus Aerospace or other aligned, hands-on high school manufacturing programs across Washington state are invited to apply for the summer 2025 Core Plus Aerospace Manufacturing Student Development Program hosted by The Boeing Company.
Take advantage of this PAID opportunity to explore an exciting industry, take your advanced manufacturing skills to the next level, and build your resume with real-world experience. Applications will be accepted through February 5, 2025. Learn More!
Apply for SME Education Foundation Scholarships!
The SME Education Foundation is offering over 60 scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year to students pursuing degrees in manufacturing or engineering. Awards range from $2,500 to $20,000, and a single application makes you eligible for multiple scholarships.
Applications are open now through February 1st. Be sure to prepare your transcripts, STEM course lists, recommendation letters, and FAFSA summary before applying.
Don’t miss this chance to advance your education and career. Visit scholarships.smeef.org to apply today!
Join the 2025 Rube Goldberg Unreal Engine Challenge!
There’s still time to enter this year’s Rube Goldberg Unreal Engine Challenge! The task? Feed a Pet using a creatively animated Rube Goldberg Machine.
The Unreal Engine Rube Goldberg Learning Kit has all the tools you need to get started, including assets from Cleverlike Studios tailored for this challenge.
Prizes include:
- – AI laptops for 1st place teams (2 members/team) courtesy of Intel
- – Aviga headsets for 2nd and 3rd place teams courtesy of AVID
- – FAB marketplace credits from Epic Games
- – Sponsor swag
Submissions close February 12 at 9 PM (PST), so don’t miss your chance!
What’s Great 👍
New Industry Sponsor – Wagstaff, Inc.
Thank you, Wagstaff, Inc., for sponsoring this year’s regional Welding – Fabrication and Welding – Sculpture competitions. Your support, from providing prepped materials to fostering collaboration, makes a lasting impact on our students’ growth and success. We’re grateful for your commitment to shaping the skilled professionals of tomorrow!
SkillsUSA Week is Almost Here: February 2-8, 2025
SkillsUSA Week is celebrated in February each year in SkillsUSA chapters nationwide. The event offers us the opportunity to promote SkillsUSA programs and activities at the local and state levels while highlighting the importance of the skilled trades.
Daily Themes for SkillsUSA Week:
- – Monday, February 3 – Recognition Day: Recognize and honor members, advisors, administrators, business partners, community leaders, and supporters who make a meaningful impact on your CTE program and SkillsUSA chapter.
- – Tuesday, February 4 – Give Back Day: Rally around your school community by focusing on ways for your chapter to give back.
- – Wednesday, February 5 – Partner Day: Invite local business and industry leaders to connect with members, highlighting the importance of developing career-readiness skills found in the SkillsUSA Framework.
- – Thursday, February 6 – Advocacy Day: Amplify CTE in your community by conducting a local public relations activity such as presenting to school board members, administrators, and community group leaders.
- – Friday, February 7 – SkillsUSA Day: Celebrate SkillsUSA by wearing your favorite SkillsUSA T-shirt, planning a celebration activity, or by posting your SkillsUSA Framework story on social media
Share Your Regional Competition Moments
Students and advisors, we want to see the excitement, teamwork, and creativity from your regional competitions! Send us your best photos to showcase the amazing work happening across SkillsUSA Washington. Your snapshots might even be featured in upcoming newsletters or on social media! Email them to info@skillsusawashington.org by February 7. Let’s celebrate your hard work and dedication together!
What’s Next 🚀
Upcoming Trainings for Advisors
Get ready for the new year with professional development! Register now to join our virtual advisor training in January and February to strengthen your leadership skills, enhance your chapter’s success, and connect with fellow SkillsUSA advisors across the country. Select the sessions you’d like to attend, and you’ll receive a calendar invite with a Zoom link in early January. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!
January Trainings:
- – New Advisor Training – 1/16, 7 AM – 11 AM
- – Chapter Excellence Program Level 1 – 1/21,12 PM – 1 PM
- – Chapter Excellence Program Level 2 – 1/22, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – New Advisor Training – 1/23, 7 AM – 11 AM
- – How to Advocate for SkillsUSA Week – 1/28, 12 PM – 1 PM OR 3 PM – 4 PM
February Trainings:
- – New Advisor Training – 2/11, 7 AM – 11 AM
- – Teachers as Change Agents in Workforce Development – 2/13, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – What is the SkillsUSA Career Model – 2/18, 12 PM – 1 PM OR 3 PM – 4 PM
- – Preparation is Key: How to Get Ready for Championships – 2/25, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – Signing Day: Planning for Success – 2/27 @ 12 PM – 1 PM
Scholarship Season is in Full Swing!
It’s time to take your future to the next level—scholarship season is in full swing! SkillsUSA Washington members can explore a variety of scholarship opportunities to support their educational and career goals.
- – “New Year, New Heights” Scholarship
- – $500 (4 Recipients)
- – Application is open and closes January 31, 2025.
- – Apply Now!
- – “More Better” Scholarship (In Memory of Marty Lee Ayres)
- – $1,000 (1 Recipient)
- – Application is open and closes February 28, 2025.
- – Apply Now!
- – Rhonda Downing Memorial Scholarship (In Memory of Rhonda Downing)
- – Full SLSC registration cost and accommodation – a +$700 value! (1 Recipient)
- – Application opens February 7, 2025, and closes February 16, 2025.
- – The winner will be announced on February 24, 2025.
- – Road to Atlanta Scholarship
- – $1,000 (2 Recipients)
- – Application opens April 4, 2025 and closes June 13, 2025
More scholarships can be found on our website. Check them out here.
Review the 2025 Proposed Constitution Amendment
The 2025 Proposed Constitution Amendment is now available under Student Resources! Review the proposed changes ahead of this year’s state conference, where the updates will be formally presented. Your input is vital—be sure to check it out!
Download our App
Stay connected and informed by downloading the SkillsUSA Washington app! Access the latest news, event updates, resources, and more right at your fingertips. Don’t miss out on essential information—download today!
Looking Ahead 👓
SkillsUSA Week – Learn More
February 2-8, 2025 | Nationwide
State Conference Draft – Announcement of the State Invite List to Follow Shortly
February 6, 2025 | Statewide
State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC) Registration
February 7-19, 2025 | Statewide
State Leadership & Skills Conference
March 27-29, 2025 | Clover Park Technical College – Lakewood, WA
State Officer Elections
March 28, 2025 | On-Site at SLSC
Manufacturing Assembler State Competition
April 26, 2025 | Boeing Everett Factory
SkillsUSA National Signing Day – Learn More
May 6, 2025 | Nationwide
National Leadership & Skills Conference
June 23-27, 2025 | Atlanta, GA
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