Mission Statement: to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members

Vision Statement: to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success

Motto: Preparing for leadership in the world of work

Values: Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Community, and Service

Integrity: We are consistent and authentic in word and action to each other, our members and the communities we serve

Respect: Respect is foundational. Our self-awareness precedes our ability to connect with each other and our members while mutually valuing our unique experiences

Responsibility: We are accountable to the whole of our organization, from internal staff to our diverse group of stakeholders. Through listening, learning and acting, we engage in our shared commitment to realizing a collective vision

Community: We value and belong to a diverse community. We strive to do our best in service through continuous reflection and growth

Service: SkillsUSA acts through the willing service of staff and committed volunteers to empower its members and their communities to reach their highest potential

DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The SkillsUSA Framework: a list of 17 essential elements organized into three categories that are commonly demanded by industry

Personal Skills: Integrity, Work Ethic, Professionalism, Responsibility, Adaptability/Flexibility, and Self-Motivation

Integrity: doing the right thing in a reliable way, being honest and holding yourself accountable

Work Ethic: being committed to punctuality, meeting deadlines and following established policies and procedures to get work done

Professionalism: behaving in alignment with workplace standards to display a positive image

Responsibility: taking ownership of one’s work performance, behavior and actions

Adaptability/Flexibility: embracing change and fostering creativity; being resilient

Self-Motivation: exhibiting a passion for life and career

Workplace Skills: Communication, Decision Making, Teamwork, Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness, Planning, Organizing, and Management, and Leadership

Communication: sending and receiving clear messages

Decision Making: using information and processes to problem-solve and make choices

Teamwork: working with others to achieve a common goal

Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness: respecting all people and cultures by fostering appropriate and respectful workplace relationships and interacting

Planning, Organizing, and Management: designing and implementing processes to complete projects and tasks at established standards of quality

Leadership: influencing the hearts, minds and actions of others

Technical Skills Grounded in Academics: Computer and Technology Literacy, Job Specific Skills, Safety and Health, Service Orientation, and Professional Development

Computer and Technology Literacy: using technology in effective, appropriate and innovative ways

Job Specific Skills: identifying, developing and implementing unique knowledge and skills required by a specific job

Safety and Health: following workplace health, wellness, financial and safety guidelines

Service Orientation: meeting the needs of internal and external customers in respectful and effective ways

Professional Development: engaging intentionally in learning experiences that contribute positively to career path progression

Important Dates

• SkillsUSA was founded in 1965

• Original name was VICA (Vocational Industrial Club of America)

• Officially changed their name to SkillsUSA in 2004

Official colors and their meanings

• Red and White: The individual states and chapters

• Blue: The common union between the states and chapters

• Gold: The individual

SkillsUSA 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

SkillsUSA Emblem

• The shield represents patriotism

• The gear represents the industrial society

• The torch represents knowledge

• The orbital circles represent technology

• The hands represent the individual

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. To base my expectations upon the solid foundation of service. To 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

The Program of Work is a guide to planning and running chapter activities

• Advocacy and Marketing: Promote SkillsUSA chapter programs and career and technical education programs, public relations initiatives and experiences to build social responsibilities

• Community Engagement: Assess community needs, identify services and employ skills to meet needs that develop long-lasting partnerships

• Financial Management: Develop personal financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills through relevant work experience, project management and chapter fundraising

• Leadership Development: Establish interpersonal relationships, individual and team development through chapter operations, leadership competitions and individualized growth plans

• Partner and Alumni Engagement: Engage former members, parents, advisory committees, administrators, faculty and business and industry partners in SkillsUSA chapter and classroom activities

• Workplace Experiences: Participation in career exploration, planning and work-based learning opportunities including the SkillsUSA Championships

CEP: Chapter of Excellence Program

PVSA: President’s Vocational Service Award

SkillsUSA Week is February 5-9