2027 MA SkillsUSA State Officer District Test Study Guide

What is SkillsUSA?

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students. They empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.

What year was SkillsUSA established?

1965

History of SkillsUSA

In 1965, the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) was formed.

It was the result of various Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO).

Previous names of SkillsUSA

1965 - VICA

1998 - SkillsUSA-VICA

2002 - SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA 2026-27 theme

Level Up

Who is the national SkillsUSA Executive Director?

Chelle Travis

SkillsUSA national headquarters location

Leesburg, Virginia

SkillsUSA Massachusetts Executive Director

Karen Ward

SkillsUSA Massachusetts Board of Directors President

Ernest F. Houle, M.Ed.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts headquarters location

Raynham, MA

How many national SkillsUSA regions are there?

5

What national region of the country is Massachusetts located in?

Region 1

How many districts are in Massachusetts?

6

SkillsUSA national mission statement

SkillsUSA is America's proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members.

SkillsUSA Motto

Preparing for leadership in the world of work

How many SkillsUSA purposes are there?

11 purposes outlined by the bylaws and constitution

SkillsUSA Values

Integrity

Respect

Responsibility

Community

Service

The SkilllsUSA creed

• I believe in the dignity of work.

• I believe in the American way of life.

• I believe in education.

• I believe in fair play.

• I believe satisfaction is achieved by good work.

• I believe in high moral and spiritual standards.

How many points are in the SkillsUSA Creed?

6 points in the creed

The 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.

How many points are in the SkillsUSA Pledge?

4 points in the pledge

What type of membership is required to become a state officer?

active

When did Massachusetts become a state?

1788

Massachusetts State Governor

Maura Healey

Massachusetts State Senators

Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey

The purposes of SkillsUSA are symbolized by its…

emblem

Parts of the emblem

Shield

Torch

Gear

Orbital Circles

Hands

The colors of the emblem and what they represent

red & white - individual states and chapters

blue - the common union of the states and of the chapters

gold - the individual, the most important element of the organization

“The __ represents the shield”

shield

“The __ represents knowledge”

torch

“The __ represents the industrial society”

gear

“The __ represent technology”

orbital circles

“The __ represents the individual”

hands

How many committees are in the Program of Work?

6 committees in the Program of Work

6 Points of the Program of Work

Leadership Development

Community Engagement

Partner and Alumni Engagement

Financial Management

Workplace Experiences

Advocacy ad Marketing

National Programs

Career Essentials

Chapter Excellence Program

Xplore

CareerSafe Online Safety Training

Online Employability Skills Program

Career Essentials

State Annual Conferences

Advisor Bootcamp

Fall State Leadership (FLSC)

SmartStart Summit

Senior Adventures in Leadership (SAiL)

State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC)

National Annual Conferences/Events

Washington Leadership and Training Institute (WLTI)

Region 1 Conference (specific for region 1 state officers)

National Signing Day

SkillsUSA Week

Elevate

National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)

3 Components of the Framework

-Personal Skills

-Technical Skills Grounded in Academics

-Workplace Skills

Purposes of the SkillsUSA Framework

-The SkillsUSA Framework defines the mission of the organization

-Providing a common language for students to articulate what they gain from SkillsUSA

- Assessing skill development

- Creating a vision for SkillsUSA programs

17 elements of the SkillsUSA Framework

Personal Skills

• Integrity

• Work Ethic

• Professionalism

• Responsibility

• Adaptability/Flexibility

• Self-Motivation

Workplace Skills

• Communication

• Decision Making

• Teamwork

• Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness

• Planning, Organizing and Management

• Leadership

Technical Skills Grounded in Academics

• Computer and Technology Literacy

• Job-specific Skills

• Safety and Health

• Service Orientation

• Professional Development

Goal setting

There are three steps to goal setting.

A goal setting should consist of…

WHAT the goal is

WHEN it is going to happen

HOW it will happen.

The specific goal needs to be stated.

National Organizational Structure

• Governed by the National Board of Directors

• Led by Chelle Travis (National Executive Director)

• National Officers/Joint Executive Council

• State Association

• Local Chapters

Local/Chapter Organizational Structure

-Advisor /Chapter Executive /Advisory Council

- Chapter

- Chapter Executive Council

- Members

State delegate formula

2 delegates for the first 25 members, +1 for each 25 members

Who decides the structure of the SkillsUSA National dues?

Student House of Delegates (SLSC)

Where was the first national conference for trade and industrial youth held?

Nashville, Tennessee

Official SkillsUSA attire includes:

SkillsUSA blazer / Windbreaker, black slacks / skirt, black dress shoes

Why is it important that chapters engage in community service?

To promote and improve good will and understanding among all segments of the community through services donated by SkillsUSA chapters, and to install in its members a lifetime commitment to community service.

SkillsUSA State President's role

Presides over meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the group

SkillsUSA State Vice-President's role

Community Service liaison, Takes place of president in case of absence.

SkillsUSA State Secretary's role

Keeps track of minutes from every meeting.

SkillsUSA State Treasurer's role

Keeps track of the money and leads fundraiser initiatives.

SkillsUSA State Parliamentarian's role

Knows and carries out Parliamentary Procedure.

SkillsUSA State Reporter's role

Takes care of publicity.

SkillsUSA State Historian's role

Keeps track of the history of the chapter.

Mariyana Lords

National High School Treasurer, Nashoba Valley THS

Lara Costa

State President, Cape Cod RTHS

Caitlyn Ellis

State Vice-President, Plymouth South HS

Meaghan Walsh

State Secretary, Blue Hills RVTHS

Amelia Vazquez

State Treasurer, Greater Lawrence THS

Derek LeClerc

State Parliamentarian, Upper Cape Code RTHS

Chance Albernaz-Awer

State Reporter, Diman RVTHS

Anthony Romero Garcia

Eastern Region Vice President, Lynn Vocational Institute

Mya Zepkoski

Western Region Vice President, Greater Lowell THS

Madison Denise

State Historian, Blackstone Valley RVTHS

What book is used to govern SkillsUSA meeting?

Roberts Rules of Order

What is parliamentary procedure?

A system of guidelines or rules for conducting a meeting to ensure all voices are heard and to maintain order.

Structure of a meeting

-Opening

-Roll Call

-Reading of the minutes

-Officer reports

-Committee reports

-Unfinished business

-New business

Announcements

-Adjournment

The President raps the gavel ____ to get members to stand.

3

Membership and fiscal year for SkillsUSA

September 1 - August 31

To receive full membership benefits students must join SkillsUSA on or before…

November 15

Main federal grant that funds career and technical education

Perkins V Funding Grant