In this update:
We hope your year is kicking off well. The goal of members achieving career readiness is made possible through the partnership between SkillsUSA and you. Together, we will work to ensure student members have the opportunities to grow their skills, learn how to be world-class leaders, and feel empowered to tackle the skills gap.
Today, SkillsUSA Illinois has officially launched it's new website. This site will allow for a better ability to share information, post resources, and create a greater user experience with future interactive tools soon to come. This update and all links within will take you to different sections of the new site.
Calendar of Events 2022-2023 Update
SkillsUSA Illinois is excited to share our final update to the calendar of events for 2022-2023.
The safety and health of our members is the number one priority of SkillsUSA Illinois. As an organization, we plan to return to a traditional, in-person event calendar this year. We have partnered with risk management industry-leaders to develop plans and procedures to minimize risks around COVID-19. All events will follow the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education. SkillsUSA Illinois will evaluate all information and make decisions on program delivery as event dates draw near.
L.E.A.D. 2022 – From feedback gathered earlier this year, the current climate of schools was preventing chapters from participating in L.E.A.D. conference this year. SkillsUSA Illinois is committed to holding this conference in 2023. Look for more information and a date to be released in April of 2023.
State Qualifying Conferences (Regional Competitions) – Throughout the pandemic, SkillsUSA Illinois continued to work and plan State Qualifying Conferences (regional competitions) with our community college partners. With many unknowns for this coming winter, community colleges are not ready to welcome visitors to their campuses at this time. There will be no State Qualifying Conferences (regional competitions) in 2023; State Qualifying Events will be held fully online. These partners are committed to holding these conferences in 2024 and SkillsUSA Illinois fully plans to bring these experiences back for our membership.
Launch Your Chapter To Success
Since 1965, SkillsUSA has been an integral part of career and technical education with an unwavering commitment to improving the quality of our nation’s skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is the largest organization whose purpose is to serve students preparing for technical, skilled, and service careers. Serving as an advisor to a SkillsUSA chapter is one of the most intentional steps you can take as part of your professional career. The impact of this decision on your student members and their future will be life changing. You’ll find many of the roles and responsibilities of serving as an advisor support the work you already do in the classroom.
This year’s SkillsUSA Membership Guide will provide all the information you need. The guide includes programs, resources, and opportunities for you and your students. SkillsUSA also provides advisor support and coaching to help you organize and manage your SkillsUSA chapter.
Want to engage your chapter? This Program of Work Launch Guide was written for you and your chapter members. This guide will cover six activities that can be the basis for your chapter work for the school year.
We are all here to help you be successful as an advisor. Want to set up a call to learn more? Email membership@skillsusaillinois.org or call the state office at 833.754.5545.
Special Membership Incentive – *Extended to Nov. 15*
SkillsUSA Illinois membership for 2022-2023 is $18 per student. In an effort to increase student access to SkillsUSA, in partnership with the State of Illinois and our SkillsUSA Illinois Partner Network, SkillsUSA Illinois is waving the entire state membership fee of $10 per student. Student members who join prior to Nov. 15, will only pay the $8 national dues.
Instructions on how to join can be found in this Membership Access Guide.
Technical Standards 2023 – Now Available
The 2023 edition of the SkillsUSA Technical Standards are now available. Developed by industry, these set the technical standard of needed skills for an individual to be career ready in their given training area. These standards will serve as the official rules of the career competitions of the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships. At the state level, career competitions may vary in scope based on time and resources available. Any regional or state updates/changes will be released in early 2023.
As a membership benefit, SkillsUSA professional members receive the current SkillsUSA Technical Standards when they have submitted a current and accurate email address with their membership details. Learn more in this advisor update.
New Professional Development Experience - Coming Soon
SkillsUSA Illinois is launching a new partnership with the Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education. This year at the IACTE Annual Conference, SkillsUSA Illinois will offer a SkillsUSA Professional Development track. During each breakout session, SkillsUSA Illinois will offer a session to allow attendees to delve into a SkillsUSA related topic. Sessions will range from broad topics like “What is SkillsUSA?” and best practice panels/round tables, to in-depth sessions on work-based learning and how to run a SkillsUSA chapter. This track will allow participants to not only grow their SkillsUSA knowledge, but engage with the larger CTE community through networking at keynote sessions, visiting with exhibitors, as well as other conference sessions.
The conference will be held February 16-27, 2023, at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Normal, IL. Look for more information coming soon.
SkillsUSA Illinois Recognized for Excellence
SkillsUSA’s State Standards of Excellence Program experienced growth in its sixth year as 39 states completed the process and received recognition. The purpose of the program is to ensure state associations have policies, procedures, and structure on an annual basis that deliver a high level of service to their membership. This program serves as a system to allow states to benchmark their performance and determine improvements to become the very best organization for their members. State associations are recognized for achieving State Standards of Excellence. SkillsUSA Illinois again reached the pinnacle of achievement by successfully completing the Gold level requirements, ensuring sustainability health and continual growth of the association.
SkillsUSA executive director Chelle Travis presented this award to SkillsUSA Illinois executive director Eric Hill in Reno, NV this past August.
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