SkillsUSA MINNESOTA FACT SHEET

SkillsUSA Minnesota creates opportunities for students, educators and business. This is accomplished through leadership training, volunteerism opportunities, competitions and conferences, which enhance students’ self-worth and employability skills to create a seamless transition into the workforce.

WHAT?

SkillsUSA Minnesota is one of the Career & Technical Student Organizations offered in Minnesota’s school system.  SkillsUSA serves high school and college students enrolled in technical, skilled, service and health occupations. BPA, DECA/DEX, FFA, PAS, FCCLA, HOSA, & HERO serve other areas.

SkillsUSA is part of a national organization that serves over a quarter million student members annually, organized into more than 14,700 chapters and 54 state and territorial associations (including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands).  The Minnesota Association has offered leadership opportunities to over 200,000 student members since 1967, with a current annual membership of over 3,000.  There are chapters in 29 technical colleges and 50 high schools or cooperative centers, with potential to serve many more.  SkillsUSA Minnesota is governed by a Board of Directors, elected from teachers that advise local chapters, and representing both the high school and college divisions and industry representatives.  All programs are offered as integral to the curriculum.  Business and industry leaders play a vital part in the SkillsUSA program.  These leaders assure that career and technical training programs stay current and meet industry technical standards. They volunteer to speak to students about their industry or job seeking & keeping skills, they design the hands-on skill competitions, provide teacher in-service on new products and equipment, and donate supplies and equipment for student use in the school setting.

ITS PURPOSE?

SkillsUSA is an applied method of preparing Minnesota’s high performance workers in career and technical education programs.  It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development.  It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communication skills.  It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work.  We promote understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL?

Students form local chapters through their high school or college.  Chapters are run by student members with advice and assistance from local teachers.  SkillsUSA provides opportunities to learn the correct way to hold a productive business meeting.  Students are encouraged to hold office or join committees to accomplish a local program of work designed and planned by its current members.  Suggested items for a program of work include: professional development, community service, public relations, employment information, skill competitions, finances or fund raising, and social activities.  Student leaders represent their school chapter at state and national level conferences.

WHAT DOES SkillsUSA MINNESOTA OFFER FOR ITS MEMBERS?

In addition to local chapter activities, we offer annual state conferences to assist in the development of student's employability, participatory and quality skills, and a chance to try out new skills in a safe environment.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE - The leadership training institute brings students together from across the state, divides them into chapter work groups with students of other ages, other skill areas, and from other schools.  Attendees complete a full year of typical chapter activities in four days.  Students learn first hand what team skills and responsibility are all about.  They work together, under stress, to complete all of the requirements while drawing from the talents of participants, dealing with personality conflicts, taking risks in new situation, practicing speaking and presentation skills, all while having fun. 

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY - Shortly after the leadership institute, members become part of a democratic process that allows them to elect state level officers for the organization.  Students are encouraged to run for state office or be part of a campaign team for a state officer candidate.  Professional development sessions that promote goal setting, team management and employability skills are provided.

SKILLSUSA MINNESOTA CHAMPIONSHIPS - In the spring, approximately 400 business and industry leaders get together and present nearly 70 skill and leadership contests that they have prepared for the student members from across the state.  These are entry-level, hands-on skill contests, evaluated by the same industry leaders who prepare them.  The competitions are based on industry driven occupational skill standards.  Industry donates many thousands of dollars in prizes in the form of scholarships, tools, reference manuals and training aids for winners and their schools.  Business partners work throughout the school year to plan the competitive events and many of them hire their new employees right off the competition floor.  At our recent State Conference in 2007 our Business/ Industry partners donated over $500,000 dollars to our students or their schools in prizes and scholarships.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SKILLSUSA CHAMPIONSHIPS CONFERENCE - Winners of the state skill contests go on to a national level competition.  Industry donates over $33,000,000 in equipment, supplies and support to offer 87 contests to 5,000 students from across the USA.

WORLD SKILL CONTESTS – SkillsUSA is the USA representative to the WSC.  Minnesota has had many students who were offered the opportunity to try out in the international trials in various skill areas.  Our Team USA successes show that our educational system is very competitive internationally as well.

COMPETITIVE EVENTS THAT MAY BE OFFERED BY SKILLSUSA MINNESOTA INCLUDE:

General and Leadership Events:

American Spirit Award *                                                                                Occupational Health & Safety *

Career Display                                                                                                Opening and Closing Ceremony * (team of 7)

Chapter Business Procedure * (team of 7)                                                     Outstanding Chapter *

Chapter Display *                                                                                          Prepared Speech *

Construction Blueprint Reading                                                                     Promotional Bulletin Board *

Extemporaneous Speaking *                                                                           Related Technical Mathematics *

Job Interview *                                                                                               Safety

Machine Trades Blueprint Reading                                                                Tool and Equipment Identification

Mechanics Dexterity                                                                                      Trade Mathematics

                                                                                                                        Quiz Bowl * (team of 5)

Skill Events:

Action Skills *                                                                                                Internetworking *

Advertising Design *                                                                                      Job Skill Demonstration A *

Architectural Drafting *                                                                                  Job Skill Demonstration B *

Automated Manufacturing Technology * (team of 3)                                    Major Appliance Technology *

Automotive Machinist                                                                                   Marine Service Technology *

Automotive Service Technology *                                                                 Masonry *

Aviation Maintenance Technology *                                                             Mechatronics * (team of 2)

Avionics                                                                                                          Medical Assisting *

Basic Health Care Skills *                                                                               Motorcycle Service Technology *

Building Maintenance *                                                                                  Nail Care *     

Cabinetmaking *                                                                                             Nurse Assisting *

Carpentry *                                                                                                    Photography *

CNC Machining *                                                                                           Plumbing *

CNC Turning *                                                                                               Power Equipment Technology *

Collision Repair Technology *                                                                       Practical Nursing *

Commercial Baking *                                                                                      Precision Machining Technology *

Computer Maintenance Technology *                                                           Preschool Teaching Assistant *

Cosmetology *                                                                                                Principles of Technology *

Criminal Justice *                                                                                           Residential Wiring *

Culinary Arts *                                                                                               Robotics and Automation Technology *  (team of 2)

Customer Service *                                                                                         Sheet Metal *

Dental Assisting *                                                                                          Snowmobile Service Technology

Diesel Equipment Technology *                                                                    Team Problem Solving

Electronics Applications *                                                                             Team Works *

Electronics Technology *                                                                               Technical Computer Applications *

First Aid/CPR *                                                                                              Technical Drafting *

Food & Beverage Service *                                                                             Telecommunications Cabling *

Graphic Communications *                                                                            3-D Imaging and Animation * (team of 2)

Health Knowledge Bowl * (team of 4)                                                           Television (Video) Production * (team of 2)

Health Occupations Professional Portfolio *                                                 Total Quality Management *

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration *                              Web Site Design * (team of 2)

Industrial Motor Control *                                                                             Welding *       

*Indicates a national level competition is available

Official Demonstration Contests:  Entrepreneurship, Tech Prep Showcase, Computer Programming, Fire Fighting, Radio (Audio) Production,

 TV News Anchor /Reporter, Crime Scene Investigation and Video Product Development.