SkillsUSA Framework
The SkillsUSA Framework illustrates how students fulfill the mission of the organization “to empower members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.”
What it does
-
Provides a common language for students to articulate what they gain from SkillsUSA participation to employers, school administrators, parents and other students
-
Assesses student skill development along a learning continuum of awareness, demonstration and mastery
-
Creates a vision for SkillsUSA programs at the local, state and national levels to ensure quality student-led experiences that build skills in all members
Why it works
-
Empowers every student to achieve career success
-
Delivers a skill set demanded by business and industry but lacking in many employees today
-
Ensures that every student member receives a consistent and specific skill set
Our Organization
Use the tabs below to learn more information about organization.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. We help each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
Mission Statement:
SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success. SkillsUSA serves more than 331,000 students and instructors annually. This includes 19,019 instructors who join as professional members. Including alumni, SkillsUSA membership totals over 393,000. SkillsUSA has served nearly 14 million annual members cumulatively since 1965 and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor as a successful model of employer-driven workforce development.
SkillsUSA Theme
The SkillsUSA competition theme for the 2022-23 school year is:
SkillsUSA: Our Time is Now
The topic to be addressed by contestants in the 2023 SkillsUSA Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions is our theme, “SkillsUSA: Our Time is Now.”
For more information on the current year’s theme and artwork, click here.
SkillsUSA Emblem
The shield represents patriotism
The shield denotes our belief in democracy, liberty and the American way of life.
The gear represents the industrial society
The gear, symbolic of the industrial society, denotes the interdependence and cooperation of the individual working with labor and management for the betterment of mankind.
The torch represents knowledge
The flaming torch reflects the light of knowledge, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. In the light of the torch, progress will be made toward the vocational goals of the individual.
The orbital circles represent technology
The circles represent the challenge of modern technology and the training needed to accept and master the challenge of new technical frontiers and the need for continuous education.
The hands represent the individual
The hands portray a search for knowledge and our desire to acquire a skill. In the process of attaining knowledge and skill, we will develop a respect for the dignity of work and become productive and responsible citizens.
SkillsUSA Official Attire
Wearing the official SkillsUSA attire adds a sense of unity and identification, as well as enthusiasm, to meetings, ceremonies, presentations and activities. Members are encouraged to strictly follow the guidelines for official attire during ceremonies, visits with dignitaries, officer campaigns and similar occasions.
Requirements of Official Attire
- Red SkillsUSA blazer, windbreaker or sweater, or black or red SkillsUSA jacket.
- Button-up, collared, white dress shirt (accompanied by a plain, solid black tie), white blouse (collarless or small-collared) or white turtleneck, with any collar not to extend into the lapel area or the blazer, sweater, windbreaker or jacket.
- Black dress slacks (accompanied by black dress socks or black or skin-tone seamless hose) or black dress skirt (knee-length, accompanied by black or skin-tone seamless hose).
- Black dress shoes.
To order official clothing and work uniforms for competition, go to the SkillsUSA Store at shop.skillsusa.org.
SkillsUSA Motto
" Preparing for leadership in the world of work"
SkillsUSA Pledge
Upon my honor, I pledge:
-
To prepare myself by diligent study and ardent practice to become a worker whose services will be recognized as honorable by my employer and fellow workers.
-
To base my expectations of reward upon the solid foundation of service.
-
To honor and respect my vocation in such a way as to bring repute to myself.
-
And further, to spare no effort in upholding the ideals of SkillsUSA.
SkillsUSA Creed
I believe in the dignity of work
I hold that society has advanced to its present culture through the use of the worker’s hands and mind. I will maintain a feeling of humbleness for the knowledge and skills that I receive from professionals, and I will conduct myself with dignity in the work I do.
I believe in the American way of life
I know our culture is the result of freedom of action and opportunities won by the founders of our American republic, and I will uphold their ideals.
I believe in education
I will endeavor to make the best use of knowledge, skills and experience that I will learn in order that I may be a better worker in my chosen occupation and a better citizen in my community. To this end, I will continue my learning now and in the future.
I believe in fair play
I will, through honesty and fair play, respect the rights of others. I will always conduct myself in the manner of the best professionals in my occupation and treat those with whom I work as I would like to be treated.
I believe satisfaction is achieved by good work
I feel that compensation and personal satisfaction received for my work and services will be in proportion to my creative and productive ability.
I believe in high moral and spiritual standards
I will endeavor to conduct myself in such a manner as to set an example for others by living a wholesome life and by fulfilling my responsibilities as a citizen of my community.
A message from the Executive Director
Hello and welcome. We at SkillsUSA Washington are so glad you are here. Whether you are here as an already established partner and supporter, an industry professional eager to hear more about our skilled, motivated and educated students, an educator, a past champion or an aspiring champion in training, or maybe you are one of our elite alumni members looking to give back. Regardless, We welcome you. We are excited to show you all the good that career and technical education has to offer and the unique opportunity SkillsUSA offers to our students. We open futures and prepare our membership through both education and opportunity.
However you are choosing to support or take part with SkillsUSA Washington know that by standing with us, together we are advancing the quality of our nations future workforce.. One SkillsUSA trained job applicant at a time. Working together we will achieve transformational impact.
Whether it is simulated technical competitions or hands on work-based learning experiences, SkillsUSA allows our students to step outside of the walls of their classroom and jump into industry led, hands on education straight on the job site.
I want to thank our industry partners, our exceptional classroom instructors. Instructors not only educating but they instill the confidence in our skilled students to apply for the job, shake the hand, chase their dreams… until they catch them! Thank you to our elite alumni members and volunteers. Your volunteerism helps us achieve our ongoing goals and vision. Finally, while the path of our SkillsUSA Champions may all look different, the common outcome often time remains the same. As SkillsUSA members, you are on a path toward your own individual success drafting a true success story of your own.
With gratitude,
Karmen Warner
SkillsUSA Washington Director