Watch our Calendar of Events at the bottom of our Monday Memo each week. We will continue to update our important events and deadlines. These are important reminders as we get closer to our in-person State Conference and other related events.
Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) Recognition
Receive state and national recognition for your chapter's outstanding local program and activities! Our North Carolina SkillsUSA Chapters do outstanding work! Now is the time to be recognized for your efforts and achievement! Whether you are a new chapter that achieved your first level of success, or an experienced chapter expanding your program of work, please review the criteria and consider applying for the Chapter Excellence Program recognition. Award Recognition is achievable for various levels of engagement and activities within your local chapter!
To review Local Chapter CEP Criteria and Application, click here.
CEP Applications must be submitted no later than March 24.
Special Recognition Awards
SkillsUSA North Carolina is accepting your nominations for the following special recognitions and awards:
Outstanding Chapter Member Recognition (up to 7 per school)
Advisor of the Year (Secondary and Postsecondary)
Career Essentials Recipients
Special Recognition Awards Applications and Criteria can be found online at SkillsUSAnc.org/award-applications.
Special Recognition Award Applications and Nominations are due March 25 and should be emailed to info@SkillsUSAnc.org.
How to Access the 2022 SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards
The SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards will help your students prepare for their competitions. To access the Technical Standards, navigate to SkillsUSA Absorb, log in using your professional membership credentials, click on the green box that says, “Professional Member Benefits,” and then on the “2021-2022 Professional Member Benefits Package.” This gives you access to the Technical Standards which are broken into the Introduction Materials; Leadership Development Career Competitions; Occupationally Related Career Competitions and the Skilled and Technical Sciences Career Competitions. If you need assistance with accessing the Technical Standards, contact the Customer Care Hotline at 844-875-4557.
Virtual STEM Trades Conference for High School Girls
On March 15, Ignite Worldwide and Universal Technical Institute will bring the virtual Women in STEM Skilled Trades Conference to high school girls across the country. The following panel of women is participating:
Migdalia Vazquez-Valle Campus president and board member, Ignite Worldwide.
Kristin Labonte, marketing executive and entrepreneur, former professional cyclist and wife of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Labonte.
Sophie Fox, CEO of Women & Wheels. Professional drag racer, Holly Inc web and social media director.
Madison Conrad, powertrain reliability specialist, Roush Yates Racing Engines.
Jennifer Lefever, SEMA Women of the Year, vice president, Roush Yates Racing Engines.
Brooke Ulrich, regional facilities and equipment service manager for Home Depot, advanced diagnostics med-heavy diesel specialist.
These successful women will share their journeys and answer questions from listeners. The event is from 10:45-11:45 a.m. PST. Register here.
Final Reminder: National Conference Pin and T-Shirt Design Entries Due March 21
SkillsUSA is once again offering the 2022 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge for all dues-paying student members. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for NLSC. Entries must be received by March 15 at 12 a.m. ET, and the winners will be announced on March 21. Rules and submission links can be found on the SkillsUSA website.
Plan Now for SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 5
On Thursday, May 5, 2022, SkillsUSA National Signing Day will celebrate high school seniors and college/postsecondary students who have chosen to pursue careers as professionals in the skilled trades.
Local SkillsUSA chapters are encouraged to host a signing day event by inviting business partners, school administrators, teachers, elected officials, SkillsUSA alumni, family and friends to honor students signing “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training.
This electronic toolkit of resources was designed to help advisors plan their local chapter event. The toolkit includes an event logo, an event invitation template, social media posts, a sample press release, thank-you notes, an event planning checklist and more. Registration for SkillsUSA National Signing Day opens March 21.
SkillsUSA Connect to My Future Conference Registration Opens Soon
Save the date for this year’s virtual SkillsUSA Connect to My Future Career Conference, to be held May 3-4. The conference is designed to allow students to explore career pathways and connect directly with employers.
Three distinct student program tracks will be offered for members in middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary programs. Check out all three tracks here. Registration opens March 21. We encourage you to share this video with your classes to get them excited.
Engage Your Chapter in SkillsUSA's Student2Student Program
It’s not too late to engage your students in SkillsUSA’s refreshed Student2Student program for the 2021-22 school year. The program connects chapters with younger students in elementary or middle school to facilitate SkillsUSA’s “Jump into STEM!” curriculum at their school. Visit the website to learn more about the program and how your chapter can gain national recognition by participating. Entries must be submitted by April 1.
Earn Presidential Recognition for Service
At the 2022 National Leadership & Skills Conference, SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students and registered alumni for their community service and volunteer activities through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, members can submit a record of their service hours to SkillsUSA, which is a certifying organization. This presidential honor recognizes the valuable contributions of volunteers who are answering a national call to serve others through their current activities or lifetime efforts. Details on qualifying hours and requirements for submission are available here. Applications must be received by April 1 for recognition at the 2022 national conference.
Seeking Musical Talent to Perform at NLSC
Do you have a musical gift to share with the SkillsUSA community? If so, apply for the new SkillsUSA Talent Program being launched in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference. Selected applicants will showcase their musical ability during one of three high-energy arena sessions in front of more than 12,000 SkillsUSA members from across the country. They may also perform for smaller audiences throughout the conference.
Students or advisors will be offered complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to participate in the SkillsUSA Talent Program. SkillsUSA Championships contestants are eligible, but performance opportunities may be limited due to scheduling conflicts. Applicants must be current paid SkillsUSA members and must submit a video file performing a song of choice that demonstrates their musical ability. Individual or group performances are welcome. Apply here by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, April 22. For questions, contact Joey Baker.
Facilitating Electrical Expertise on "SkillsUSA Technical Fridays"
Join us for “SkillsUSA Technical Fridays,” SkillsUSA’s industry-led workshops that help teachers develop specific technical skills relevant to their career fields. On March 25, from 4-5 p.m. ET, the presenter is Ross Rector, a former professor of industrial carpentry and an electricity craftsperson. Rector’s session will focus on the concepts of electrical circuits, with demonstrations of hands-on activities for learning about circuits and circuit components, including how Ohm’s law is used to analyze circuits. The cost to attend the session is $10. Register here.
Models of Excellence Chapters Share Their Success
In our most recent feature article on the SkillsUSA Champions Digital Hub, the three 2021 Models of Excellence chapters offer an insightful look into how any SkillsUSA instructor can incorporate the SkillsUSA Framework into their classroom and associated projects. Read the story here, and you’ll likely be inspired with new ideas of your own. And don’t forget: You can always share your own news and stories through the “Share News and Stories” link at the top of the page.
SkillsUSA Scholarships Now Open for Applications
Applications for several scholarships are now open to benefit SkillsUSA students in pursuit of higher education or certification in their chosen fields. Help spread the word about these opportunities:
The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will award four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members who are also members of NTHS. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund offers two high school seniors who are members of SkillsUSA a one-time $1,000 scholarship. The deadline for applications is April 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Fine Homebuilding will be awarding scholarships to SkillsUSA high school or college/postsecondary students continuing their education or certification programs in construction-related fields through the #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship program. The deadline for applications is May 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The Student Research Foundation, in partnership with SkillsUSA offers a scholarship to a SkillsUSA member who is currently enrolled in high school and plans to continue their education in a postsecondary program. It recognizes outstanding community contribution. The deadline for applications is July 26.
