The SkillsUSA Framework provides a common language for students to articulate what they gain from SkillsUSA, assists in assessing skill development, and helps create a vision for SkillsUSA programs.
All individuals who are potential employees need the skills listed within the SkillsUSA Framework.
The Three Components of the SkillsUSA Framework
The SkillsUSA Framework consists of three elements:
Personal Skills
Workplace Skills
Technical Skills Grounded in Academics
All skills in the Framework work together to create a comprehensive skill set for success in the workforce.
Key Essential Elements and Concepts
1. Integrity
Described as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. An example is exhibited when an employee reports wrongdoing after making a mistake at work.
2. Work Ethic
Defined as doing high-quality, ethical work efficiently. It includes consistency and dependability, along with demonstrating dedication.
Characteristics include being self-disciplined, honest, and trustworthy.
3. Professionalism
May be exhibited through attire, personal grooming, and communication style.
4. Responsibility
Taking responsibility is reflected by specific statements in the Framework that emphasize accountability in tasks and obligations.
5. Adaptability/Flexibility
Demonstrated when an individual can “bounce back” from challenging experiences. For example, seeking advice from a manager on improvements signifies adaptability.
6. Self-Motivation
Taking initiative and demonstrating an internal drive to accomplish tasks is a characteristic of self-motivation.
7. Communication Skills
Skills include the ability to give accurate and concise reports, follow oral directions, speak distinctly, and give clear instructions.
This falls under the Workplace Skills component of the SkillsUSA Framework.
8. Planning, Organizing and Management
Teams may use this element for activities such as preparing for a group presentation or organizing a community service project.
9. Service Orientation
This essential element within Workplace Skills focuses on meeting the needs of customers and clients.
Technical Skills
Using specific technologies, such as photo editing software for photographers, is a job-specific skill.
All employees need to operate some form of technology in their jobs.
Career Essentials Credential
The Career Essentials Credential is an industry-validated credential available through SkillsUSA that demonstrates proficiency in the skills listed within the SkillsUSA Framework.
Employability Development
The premier employability skills development program within SkillsUSA's curriculum is Career Essentials: Experiences.
Definitions and Concepts
Ethics: Conduct or attitudes toward work or a philosophy dealing with rules of right or proper conduct.
Customer Service: Providing service that consistently meets or exceeds customer expectations.
Shadowing: Observing someone whom you respect in their job role.
Resume: A document used by employers to identify worker applicants’ qualifications for employment.
Perseverance: Continued effort to complete difficult tasks.
Portfolio: A collection of work representing education, self-development, and career information.
Compromise: A settlement of differences where each side makes concessions.
Time Management: The process of directing and controlling activities to make efficient use of time.
Cultural Diversity: The blend of varying cultures within a collective activity or setting.
Entrepreneur: An individual who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture.
Communication: A process involving a sender and receiver exchanging feedback.
Listening: Active and critical skills; being attentive and engaged in understood communication.
Organization Chart: A visual representation of a company's structure.
Self-confidence: The assurance of one’s abilities and worth.
Priority: An item or task demanding immediate attention or action.
Reliability: Dependability in completing tasks with minimal supervision.
Brainstorming: The group offering of ideas to find solutions to problems unrestrainedly.
Role Model: An individual with quality character whom others aspire to emulate.
Professional Development: The improvement of skills through educational opportunities.
Survey: A method to evaluate a situation using structured questions.
Honest: Free from deceit; sincere in expression.
Job and Goal Details
Job Applications: When completing past employment sections, jobs should be listed starting with the current or most recent job.
An external customer: A person, e.g., a car owner, receiving services like car repairs.
Employers value community contribution, hence volunteer experience should be highlighted on profiles like LinkedIn.
Long-term goal: Plans stretching to retirement.
Goal Statement Components:
What will happen?
When will it happen?
How will it happen?
Set a goal and follow it with a plan for achievement.
General Employability Skills
Effective Teams: Each member should contribute their best to the collective effort.
Agenda: A prepared written list of business for any meeting.
Main Motion: The formal way of proposing an idea during a business meeting.
Speaker order in debate: The maker of the motion speaks first.
Respect in Committee: Members should treat opinions respectfully and express their ideas candidly.
Basic Parliamentary Procedure: Every member has the right to express thoughts.
Presiding Officer: The singular person leading a business meeting at any time.
Meeting Minutes: The recorded documentation of business proceedings.
SkillsUSA Emblem, Colors, and Mission
SkillsUSA Emblem: Contains multiple symbols representing characteristics of the SkillsUSA organization with five symbols:
Orbital Circles: Represent technology.
Gear: Symbolizes the industrial society.
Hands: Representative of the individual.
Official Colors: Red, white, blue, and gold.
Blue: Represents the common union of states and chapters.
Silver: Not an official color.
Sword: Not an included icon within the emblem.
Mission:
“SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics.”
Founding, Creed, and Motto
SkillsUSA is a Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO) established in 1965, initially called Vocational Industrial Clubs of America with 14 states represented.
SkillsUSA Motto: “Preparing for Leadership in the World of Work.”
SkillsUSA Creed: Contains six key points, including:
“To honor and respect my vocation to enhance my reputation.”
“I believe in the dignity of work.”
Ardent practice indicates effort towards character despite setbacks.
Leadership is defined by four “pillars”: Compassion, Stability, Trust, and Hope.
Programs and Officers
Whole School Membership: The Total Participation Plan (TPP) is SkillsUSA's membership affiliation program.
Chapter Excellence Program: Recognizes chapters for documenting quality activities and achievements.
Community Service: Focused component in the SkillsUSA Program of Work targeting volunteerism.
Secretary's Role: Responsible for recording minutes and possibly chairing the Membership committee.
Vice President Role: Often tasked with presenting a year-end report of chapter accomplishments.
Parliamentarian Role: Must secure confidence from members to settle controversies.
Public Relations Committee: Commonly chaired by the chapter reporter.
National Officers: Fifteen may be elected annually to serve SkillsUSA.
Official Attire
Appropriate occasions for wearing SkillsUSA official attire include meetings and state or national conferences.
Note that a solid red tie or scarf is not part of the official attire.
Worker Rights and Responsibilities
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Established to ensure workers' rights to a safe workplace, necessitating employer responsibility.
Mission: To save lives, prevent injuries, and protect American workers' health.
General Duty Clause: Employers must adhere to safety where specific standards do not apply.
Section 11 (c) of the OSH Act: Protects the rights of workers to report health concerns without fear of retaliation.
Retaliation Complaints: Employees have 30 days to contact OSHA if retaliated against for health and safety-related issues.
Employers must provide and pay for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and allow workers access to workplace safety logs.
Reporting and Inspections
FAT/CAT Report: Documents workplace fatalities and catastrophic events.
Fatalities must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours.
OSHA Inspections: Consist of an opening conference, walkthrough, and closing conference where workers have rights to communicate privately with inspectors.
Workers may have a representative present during inspections, be informed about results, and contest violation correction dates.
Workplace Safety Resources: Include the supervisor, co-workers, warning signs, and the OSHA website as external help.
Electrical Safety
Energized: Refers to a voltage present that can produce an electric current.
Moist skin acts as a Good conductor of electricity.
Requirements for electric current flow through a conductor:
A source of electrical power
A transportation medium for current
A component necessitating current flow
Electric shock occurs when current enters and exits the body.
Electric burns occur when skin contacts hot surfaces or energized equipment.
Lockout/Tagout: A safety procedure to protect workers when machinery is serviced.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): Monitors current flow and can shut off electricity if an anomaly is detected.
Grounding: Creating a low-resistance physical connection to the earth is crucial for safety.
Bloodborne Pathogens and Ergonomics
Bloodborne Pathogens: Infectious microorganisms in human blood capable of causing disease; examples include HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Universal Precautions: Treat all bodily fluids as if infectious.
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act: Requires reducing exposure to contaminated sharps.
Engineering Controls: Devices that remove or isolate bloodborne hazards.
Sharps Disposal: Must be positioned nearby usage areas.
Ergonomics
The science of modifying work environments to fit worker needs, preventing injuries.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) stem from improper ergonomic practices.
Proper posture minimizes stress on the body, characterized by:
Allowing arms to hang naturally
Maintaining a natural S-curve in the back
Unsafe postures include static and awkward positions.
Effective lifting techniques involve bending legs, keeping a straight back, and lifting with legs.
Frequent breaks and adjusting workstation height help alleviate discomfort.
Hazard Communications
The Hazard Communication Standard is notably the “Right-to-Know” Law, which ensures employees are informed about chemical hazards.
Manufacturers must provide hazard information through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and consistent labeling.
Pictograms visually highlight potential hazards.
Different types of exposures include:
Acute: Short-term, can cause immediate hazards.
Chronic: Long-term, can manifest slowly.
Employers must maintain a written hazardous communication program outlining all hazardous material information and training plans.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE shields against injuries affecting various body parts, including:
Head: Electrical shocks, falling objects, and overhead beams
danger.
Eyes: Safety glasses must be worn as regular glasses do not suffice.
Hands: Appropriate gloves are essential based on job and chemical exposure.
Feet: Reinforced boots protect against punctures and chemicals.
Fall Protection
Falls are a leading cause of injuries; measures include using protective gear and proper ladder use.
Defines a Floor opening as any opening measuring 12 inches or more that can be hazardous if not shielded by guardrails or similar barriers.
A Rope Descent System assists workers descending in a controlled and safe manner.
Employer flexibility in choosing a fall protection system adaptable to specific situations is emphasized.