SkillsUSA: An Overview Kaynor Technical High School

SkillsUSA: An Overview Kaynor Technical High School

The Problem The National Federation of Independent Business recently cited the NUMBER ONE problem of its members: “The shortage of skilled, trained workers.”

The Problem The skills employers are desperate for are not only technical skills, but also EMPLOYABILITY skills (teamwork, communications, leadership, goalsetting, etc.).

The Solution: Founded in 1965 as “The Vocational Industrial Clubs of America” (VICA) - became “SkillsUSA-VICA” in 1999 and simply “SkillsUSA” in 2004.

National non-profit organization for high school and college students enrolled in trade, technical, industrial and health occupations programs More than a quarter-million members in all 50 states and three U.S. territories (Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico) More than 16,200 chapters in high schools, trade & technical centers and 2-year colleges

SkillsUSA brings together educators, administrators, corporate America, labor organizations, trade associations and government in a coordinated effort to address America’s need for a globally competitive skilled workforce.

The SkillsUSA Mission: To empower our student members to become worldclass workers and responsible American citizens. Our core values: Integrity, Responsibility, Citizenship, Service and Respect

The SkillsUSA Mission: To empower our student members to become worldclass workers and responsible American citizens. Our mission is accomplished through our Program of Work

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships -Award-winning curriculum: the Professional Development Program (PDP) --84 employability skills taught, including communications skills, ethics, conflict resolution, time management, goalsetting, and more Now available in an interactive format, PDP Online

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --Instills lifetime commitment to community service --Promotes goodwill and understanding among all segments of a community --Teaches the importance of teamwork

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --Increase cooperation in the school and community --Improve selfesteem by providing healthy outlets --Students feel like they’re part of a team, like they belong

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --Chapter fundraising activities to support the chapter’s yearly projects

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --Help change public misconceptions and stereotypes of technical education students and programs --Make the public aware of the value of strong technical education programs in our school systems

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --Students offered job shadowing, mentoring, apprenticeship opportunities --Increased student awareness of career options, quality job practices and attitudes --Increased opportunities for employer contact and eventual employment

Program of Work Professional Development Community Service Social Activities Ways and Means Public Relations Employment (schoolto-work programs) SkillsUSA Championships --The premiere showcase of career and technical education. --The greatest commitment of corporate volunteerism on a single day anywhere in America.

Competitions occur on the local, district, state, national and even international levels. Competitions conducted in occupational (“hard”) skills AND leadership (employability, or “soft”) skills. Business and Industry set the contest standards through technical committee involvement.

National SkillsUSA Championships held annually in Kansas City, Mo. 5,000 state winners compete in over ninetyone occupational and leadership contests 787,482 Requires more than 787,482 square feet of floor space – equivalent to nearly 16 football fields! The result of a direct interaction between industry and education; More than 1,700 technical experts from labor and industry design and judge the contests

Business & Industry Partnerships We need each other! B&I Students Instructors

Business & Industry Partnerships More than 1,100 corporations, labor unions and trade associations support SkillsUSA at the national level. Thousands more support local SkillsUSA chapters and state associations. Partnerships take many forms: from cash financial support, volunteered company expertise, equipment and supplies donations, etc.

Business & Industry Partnerships Partnerships offer business and labor a vehicle for DIRECTLY influencing the quality of vocational-technical education Partners have the opportunity to reach a valued marketplace of students and teachers New marketing opportunities New recruitment opportunities, from the most prized pool of skilled workers in the nation

For More Information: SkillsUSA: Phone: (703) 777-8810 Web: www.skillsusa.org Your local SkillsUSA Chapter: Barbara Balnis Michael Terribile Kaynor Technical High School 42 Tompkins Street Waterbury, CT 06708 (203) 596 - 4302

Thank you for your support!

SkillsUSA www.skillsusa.org