Model programs

SkillsUSA recently named 24 chapters as Models of Excellence in recognition of their integration and application of personal, workplace and technical skills. SkillsUSA is one of the largest programs promoting career and technical education.

“The Models of Excellence program represents the very best in chapter achievement and community involvement,” Timothy W. Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA, said in a statement. “These chapters define excellence across the board, serving as models for other chapters to emulate in strengthening their local programs.”

The honored chapters will participate in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 25-29, in Louisville, Ky. Activities include finalist interviews and an awards dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

The Models of Excellence program promotes the intentional learning of personal, workplace and technical skills outlined in the SkillsUSA framework for student development. Specific characteristics within each skill area ensure tangible benchmarks for student achievement and chapter programming. Achievement is measured by the effectiveness of students in implementing the chapter activities including personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic and organization. The hands-on approach of the program actualizes the SkillsUSA mission of empowering members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens, according to the organization.

The honored chapters include Willow Canyon High School (Ariz.); Norwalk High School (Calif.); Durango High School, Centauri High School and Thomas Jefferson High School (Colo.); Cambridge High School, Cross Keys High School, Grovetown High School, Sandy Creek High School, Union Grove High School, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (Ga.); Dorchester Career and Technology Center (Md); Greater Lowell Technical High School and Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (Mass.); Franklin Technology Center (Mo.); Gloucester County Institute of Technology (N.J.); Catawba Valley Community College (N.C.); Autry Technology Center and Gordon Cooper Technology Center (Okla.) Tennessee College of Applied Tech–Pulaski (Tenn.); A&M Consolidated High School and College Station High School (Texas); Southampton High School (Va.), and Woodland High School (Wash.)

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 360,000 members.

For more, visit www.skillsusa.org.

This article originally appeared in the June 2018 issue.