SkillsUSA Advisors Information

The Relationship of CTSOs to Education
The United States Department of Education recognizes 10 national career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) as integral to career and technical education. CTSOs provide a uncommon experience for middle/junior high, high school and college students, including: leadership development, employability skills training and the importance of being a responsible American citizen.

Each year millions of working adults join one or more professional associations in specific and general career fields. CTSOs are NOT "clubs". SkillsUSA is the first professional organization students can join. An integrated SkillsUSA section includes a wide range of activities that model "adult" professional organizations, including: gaining community support, networking, supporting your local community, and work experience. In other words, a CTSO works best when it is utilized as part of the program of instruction and is administered by a teacher (Advisor) who is committed to development of the entire student (i.e. technical skills, leadership skills, employability skills, etc.)

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act defines career and technical education as “organized educational programs which are directly related to the preparation of individuals in paid or unpaid employment . . . and vocational student organization activities as an integral part of the program.”

For more information on the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act and career and technical education training visit these websites: www.acteonline.org. For more information on the School to Work Opportunities Act click here: http://ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/perkins.html

Career Preparation programs (formerly Level 3 & 4 Programs) More ►)
SkillsUSA programs on the national level are designed for Level 3 & 4 students. All students and teachers in Level 3 & 4 programs are required to join national SkillsUSA. More information is here.

Career Preparation Beginner programs (formerly Level 2 Programs) More ►)
SkillsUSA--Arizona has developed programs for state only participation. Visit here for Level 2 information.

Membership information is located here with all other types of membership.

Career Exploration programs (formerly Level 1 Programs)
SkillsUSA--Arizona has developed programs for state only participation. Level 1 Programs are for middle school and junior high school students. In a few districts, Level 1 programs are taught at the ninth grade level and that allows those students to be involved in SkillsUSA--Arizona's Level 1 Programs. Visit here for Level 1 information.

Membership information is located here with all other types of membership.

Balanced SkillsUSA Program
A balanced SkillsUSA program means every member is participating in a variety of activities throughout the school year. A section’s activities should involve each main area at least once during the school year. The elements are listed below:

Professional Development Activities
Community Service Activities
Ways and Means Activities
Skills Competition Activities
Employment
Public Relations/Publicity Activities
Social Activities

Download a more detailed description (Word, PDF)

Advisor of the Year Award

This award will be presented to secondary and/or postsecondary educators involved in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations courses, and who have achieved prominence at local, state or national levels. One such award will be presented annually.

Eligible individuals are individuals who are currently employed by high schools, postsecondary institutions, career centers, area vocational technical schools, etc. Contributions and achievements on which the nomination is based should have been made within the past ten years. The nominee must be a paid professional member of SkillsUSA.

Nominations will be accepted again next year. Check back for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for a conference?

Visit the Events page and click on the link for the conference of which you wish to register. Once you enter the specific conference page, a registration link will be available during the registration period only.

As a new teacher, what should I do first?

We suggest contacting your local Board member first. However, you can also begin here Resources for Teachers. Contact the SkillsUSA--Arizona office to setup an appointment for someone to visit your school.

New Advisors, Visit Here First

New Chapter/Section Steps

Congratulations! You’re going to be a great SkillsUSA Advisor. Our teachers provide students with excellent leadership and technical skill development in order to meet the demands of industry in the future.

1. Meet with School Administrators
As a first step, take time to meet with the school administrators to learn about the school’s policy regarding student organizations such as SkillsUSA.

2. Target Groups
The key to establishing a SkillsUSA chapter is to not only educate administrators, but also school board members, school counselors and teachers. These people work closely with students and parents.

3. Report the Facts
Discuss the need for a chapter in your institution. Point out the options available for establishing a SkillsUSA structure that will best fit your school. Point out the advantages that an active SkillsUSA chapter can bring to the institution, its students and staff. These include leadership and professional development skills, as well as job skills necessary for success in the world of work.
TIP: Review the National Leadership Handbook and the Video included in the New Advisors’ Starter Kit.

4. Get Student Leaders Interested
Stimulate activity among several key students by asking them to meet and talk about SkillsUSA. Invite five or six interested students from one specific training program to start a chapter within that training area.

5. Organizing Committee
The Organizing Committee should be put to work immediately. Their assignments are to:

A. Plan and carry out a membership campaign. (See Chapter 4: Conduct a Membership Campaign.)

B. Write a suggested chapter constitution. See the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook. TIP: Download the Constitution and Bylaws in MS Word here www.azskillsusa.org/teachers.htm and the Charter application.

C. Submit the Charter Application, Constitution/Bylaws and a list of officers by Nov. 1.

D. Plan to conduct the first elections. (See Chapter 6: Elect and Train SkillsUSA Officers.)

6. Conduct an Organizational Meeting
Hold a meeting to “kick off” organizational activities for the SkillsUSA chapter or inform new career and technical students about SkillsUSA. If a SkillsUSA alumnus is available to help with the membership campaign, the students can hear first-hand the benefits of being a SkillsUSA member.

7. Conduct a Membership Campaign
Kick off a membership campaign in each of the training programs. The organizing committee must be informed and prepared to answer any questions that may arise. Join online by visiting www.skillsusa-register.org.
TIP: You can setup the account and allow a student leader to enter membership information. If you need assistance, call the SkillsUSA Arizona office at (602) 542-5565.

8. Meeting of Newly Elected Officers
Hold a meeting of the newly elected officers as soon as possible. The first item of business should be to petition the state association for a charter.

9. Elect and Train SkillsUSA Officers
Once a chapter constitution is in place, elect and train officers. Since leadership development is one of the key benefits of being involved in SkillsUSA, encourage new members to run for an office.
TIP: Officer training should consist of duties and responsibilities of each office. The SkillsUSA Arizona office can assist you with training by calling at (602) 542-5565. OR attend the Chapter Management Training seminars in the fall of each year. Visit www.azskillsusa.org/events.htm for more information.

10. Establish Working Committees
Review the structure of standing committees and the program of work in the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook. Each SkillsUSA chapter should appoint or accept volunteers for committees and develop a program of work using the chapter members.

11. Plan a Program of Work
The success of the SkillsUSA year evolves around a well-planned calendar of events. Begin this plan as early as possible in the school year (within the first month after returning to school).
TIP: An example is available in the A.S.K. in the New Advisors’ Startup Kit.

12. Participate in Competitive Events
SkillsUSA members benefit most by being involved at each level of the state and national structure. Encourage as many members as possible to participate.
TIP: SkillsUSA Arizona’s events are available at www.azskillsusa.org/events.htm.

13. Equipment and Materials Needs
Establishing a reference library of SkillsUSA materials is also important. SkillsUSA makes materials available to chapters at a reasonable cost.

14. Use SkillsUSA to Achieve State of Arizona Standards
For example, all programs are required to do the following:

State of Arizona Standard	SkillsUSA PDP*
Practice appropriate etiquette and social skills	Level 2.8
Interpret verbal and nonverbal communication	Level 1.8
Practice effective meeting management	Level 2.7

*The SkillsUSA Professional Development Program (PDP) is a self-paced series of workbooks or online modules designed to teach 84 employability skills within it’s 5 levels. More information is in the New Advisors’ Starter Kit

Many more standards exist and sections within the PDP. The above items are only a sample.

15. All programs (or sections) are required to submit a Constitution & Bylaws, Program of Work and list of Officers to the SkillsUSA Arizona office by November 1.

The best way to get your students excited is to inspire them with your own enthusiasm for CTE, SkillsUSA and workforce success.