February 2025: What’s Up Washington?
February 2025 Newsletter
February is here, and with it comes an exciting lineup of opportunities, celebrations, and key updates! This month, we’re kicking off CTE Month, highlighting the power of hands-on learning and career preparation. Plus, we’re celebrating a historic milestone—SkillsUSA Washington has gained final approval for the first youth-focused statewide apprenticeship program in Washington’s history. Read on for important updates, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Let’s make this a month of advocacy, achievement, and momentum!
What’s New 🤩
SLSC Resources
AGENDA & TRANSPORTATION GUIDE
This year, the SkillsUSA Washington Store, Opening and Awards Sessions, Health Knowledge and Quiz Bowls, Friday Night Activity, and Advisor Breakfast/Annual Regional Meetings will be hosted at the Hilton DoubleTree Seattle Airport. Friday’s competitions will once again be hosted at Clover Park Technical College. Transportation will be provided to and from the Hotels and to and from Clover Park Technical College for those who pay the one-time $5 transportation fee during registration. Download the Agenda and Transportation Guide using the buttons below.
Please note that the Agenda and Transportation Schedule are tentative and subject to change.
SKILLSUSA WASHINGTON APP
Enhance your SLSC experience! Download our SkillsUSA Washington app for easy access to essential information, including contest lists and locations, detailed campus maps, and a comprehensive agenda. Stay organized and make the most of your time at SLSC!
STATE OFFICER ELECTIONS
Elections for the 2025-2026 School Year State Officers will occur on Friday, March 28, during SLSC.
Interested in becoming a State Officer? As a State Officer, you’re an integral part of a team pivotal in boosting membership and championing SkillsUSA Washington and its mission. You’re involved in planning and spearheading various projects, workshops, and conferences. Your primary responsibility is to actively contribute to the team, embodying the essence of SkillsUSA Washington positively, and offer support to fellow officers and members of SkillsUSA Washington.
What’s Great 👍
State Officer Team Advocated for SkillsUSA & CTE in Olympia
Late last month, our SkillsUSA Washington State Officers joined forces with fellow Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) leaders to champion Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the state level. Meeting with legislators, they shared powerful stories about how CTE and CTSOs shape students’ futures by providing hands-on learning experiences and career readiness skills. Great work team!
February is CTE Month
Don’t forget – February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, hosted by Association for Career and Technical Education and sponsored by National Association of Home Builders! This month, we celebrate the impact of CTE in preparing students for successful careers and building stronger communities.
Educators, you can access CTE Month resources like posters, toolkits, and more to promote and celebrate in your classrooms and communities. Download them here: https://www.acteonline.org/cte-month/
SkillsUSA Washington Gains Final Approval from Council for the First Youth-Focused Statewide Apprenticeship Program in Washington History
SkillsUSA Washington is proud to announce the approval of Washington State’s first-ever youth-focused statewide apprenticeship program. This 8,000-hour approved program was designed to prepare high school and college students for careers as journey-level diesel technicians. This historic milestone marks a significant step forward in providing young people with access to high-quality training, industry certifications, and real-world experience in the heavy equipment and diesel technology fields.
This groundbreaking program was made possible through the collaboration and support of key partners, including RDO Equipment Co., The Papé Group, the Youth Workforce Development Foundation (YWDF), and the Association of Equipment Distributors (AED) Foundation. Their commitment to addressing the workforce needs of the heavy equipment industry and investing in the next generation of skilled technicians has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (LNI), State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) review committees/board and council for their thorough review, thoughtful consideration, and ultimate recommendation to approve this program.
Eastern Region News Coverage
Students from across our Eastern Region showcased their skills at their Regional Conference held in Spokane at the EWU Catalysts Building! From innovative projects to hands-on challenges, these future leaders demonstrated what it takes to power the industries of tomorrow. Check out the news story published by Spokane’s Non-Stop Local (KHQ) and KHQ’s What’s New in Stem Feature.
National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge
SkillsUSA is offering the 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge to all dues-paying student members nationwide. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for the 2025 NLSC. The challenge is open now, entries must be received by March 1 at midnight ET, and winners will be announced on March 7. Download the rules below:
AWS Welding Workforce Grant
AWS is now accepting applications for the Welding Workforce Grant This grant offers up to $50,000 to secondary and post-secondary welding programs. The application deadline is March 15th, 2025.
Design Challenge Winners
We are thrilled to announce this year’s winners for the Pacific Northwest Pin, Washington State Pin, and Washington State T-Shirt Design Challenges.
Jacobsen Bunker
W.F. West High School – Chehalis
Qianyu (Cindy) Wu
Kentridge High School – Kent
Madyson Alexander
W.F. West High School – Chehalis
SkillsUSA Washington selected to be American Sign Language Interpreters for the National Anthem at NLSC
What’s Next 🚀
Upcoming Trainings for Advisors
Professional Development Opportunity! Register now to join the remaining virtual advisor trainings in February and upcoming trainings in March 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. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!
February Trainings:
- – 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
March Trainings:
- – Creating Student-Led Chapters – 3/4, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – SkillsUSA Resources – 3/6, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – Exploring the WPLE Toolkit – 3/11, 12 PM – 1 PM
- – SkillsUSA as a Solution to the Skills Gap – 3/20, 12 PM – 1 PM
One SkillsUSA Washington Scholarship is Closing Soon!
- – “More Better” Scholarship (In Memory of Marty Lee Ayres)
- – $1,000 (1 Recipient)
- – Application is open and closes February 28, 2025.
- – Apply Now!
- – 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.
Competitor Resume Resources
Prepare for success with the updated SkillsUSA Resume Resources! These tools are designed to help SLSC competitors create professional, competition-ready resumes. Resumes are required for all SkillsUSA Washington SLSC competitions.
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 👓
Online testing for all SLSC competitors will be available Monday, March 10 – Friday, March 21. More information about online testing will be available soon.
State Leadership & Skills Conference Online Testing
March 10-21, 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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