SKILLS - National T Shirt Design

Advisors,

 

We have a change in the National T-shirt Design Contest.  We want to have the names of the finalists of this contest to you prior to coming to SLC, so we are requiring that all National T-shirt designs are received in this office, to cori.combs@nebraska.gov, by Monday evening, April 11, at 10:00pm.  Last year we had an issue that some of the finalists did not receive word they were finalists and did not make the interview on Thursday evening at state.   This year they will know prior to state if their design made the cut and can make plans to be at the interview on Thursday evening.

 

We will be assembling a committee of advisors in the Lincoln area to judge down to the 10 finalists.  I will be extending invitations later this week for the committee.  I will probably be looking for advisors who have no contestants in that contest. 

 

Again, National T-Shirt Designs are due to Cori Combs by 10:00 pm on Monday, April 11.  This does not include state conference t-shirt design or pin design, only the Nebraska National Delegation T-shirt design!

This design must be accompanied by the Identification Sheet that can be found in the State Only Contest Rules (click on conferences then SLC Advisor)on our website.  On that identification sheet, we will need the name of the student and what school they are from.

 

Looking forward to seeing some great designs.

SkillsUSA Scholarships

Spring is here! And spring means scholarships. SkillsUSA is happy to offer many scholarships for our student and alumni members. Most of our opportunities are for pursuing higher education and some of these are specific to the trade/technical areas of study. We also have travel scholarships for SkillsUSA events, including NLSC for students going to compete in the Championships and participating in the Leadership training.

 

We are happy to announce two new scholarship opportunities as well. Ryder has partnered with SkillsUSA to offer the SkillsUSA and Ryder Diesel Tech Scholarship Program for Diesel Equipment Technology students. Another new scholarship is very special for SkillsUSA to announce; The Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship. Many of you worked with Marsha and remember the legacy she’s built through mentoring students, advisors, colleagues and everyone in the SkillsUSA family. To honor of that legacy, we are offering a merit-based scholarship for a State Officer to pursue their high education and come to NLSC for special recognition. This scholarship will be offered on a rotating basis by region.

 

Also, I am excited to announce that the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Competitor Scholarship is open for the 2016 SkillsUSA Championships! Please announce this opportunity to state gold medalists at or after your state championships.

 

Please read below for more information on all scholarship opportunities currently available to SkillsUSA members.

 

*NEW* The Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship

During Marsha Daves’ SkillsUSA career she filled many roles, including: first recipient of the Marsha Daves Lifetime Achievement Award, SkillsUSA Board of Director member, Chair of the State of Oklahoma Director's Association, recipient of the Honorary Life Award, and her final role as Director of Education and Training with the national SkillsUSA staff. To the students and colleagues that were able to work with Marsha, her role was truly an educator, advisor, and mentor.

 

SkillsUSA is pleased to be offering one annual merit-based $1,000 scholarship for college/post-secondary education and a supplementary $500 travel stipend for NLSC to a state officer in memory of the legacy left by our Champion Marsha Daves. The scholarship will recognize how our student leaders use the personal skills they develop to be a team member, leader, employee, citizen and an effective individual that fulfills the mission of SkillsUSA. The Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship is open to current SkillsUSA state officers who will be attending a college/postsecondary school in the next school year.

 

Application deadline is May 1.

 

This will be a rotating scholarship open to one region per year. Region 4 will be able to apply for the first year, Spring 2016, as this is the region Marsha was from and where she started her SkillsUSA career. In the spring of 2017 Region 5 will able to apply. Future application opening will be spring of 2018 for Region 1, 2019 for Region 2, and 2020 for Region 3. This sequence will continue in the future.

Suggested:

 

Moving forward, the spring scholarship application schedule is as follows:

·         2017 – Region 5

·         2018 – Region 1

·         2019 – Region 2

·         2020 – Region 3

Scholarship applicants will need to fill out the information sheet below and submit a video application. The video should reflect the leadership qualities the student has gained from a SkillsUSA mentor (their advisor, state director, etc.) and how they have used those skills to be a leader in SkillsUSA, other organizations, their community, and/or the workplace. The videos will be judged on the following criteria:

1.        Acknowledgement of a SkillsUSA mentor’s impact on their lives

 

2.        Specific leadership-level skills they have gained

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

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

 

3.        Examples of situations in which they have put their leadership skills to use during their time as a state officer and the how they used those opportunities to “pay it forward”

 

4.        Composition of their video including professionalism and creativity

 

5.        Upon being awarded the scholarship, confirmation the applicant is attending a college/postsecondary school during next school year will be required

Videos are limited to one to two minutes in length. Creative editing is encouraged and a professional presentation is expected.

A judging committee will review the nominations and announce the selected winner prior to the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville in June An award check for $1,000 will be made payable directly to the college/postsecondary school. The winner will be notified by May 15 and asked to attend NLSC, utilizing the $500 travel stipend, where he or she will be recognized during the delegate sessions.

All video applications must be submitted after the applicant’s information sheet with their state director’s signature of nomination and a letter of recommendation from their SkillsUSA mentor, such as an instructor, advisor or state association director. Applications must be received by May 1. If you have questions, please contact Brittney Colburn at 703-737-0637 or bcolburn@skillsusa.org.

 

 

*NEW* SkillsUSA and Ryder Diesel Tech Scholarship Program

SkillsUSA is proud to announce, in partnership with Ryder System, Inc., a new scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA members who are continuing their education in Diesel Equipment Technology. Up to 22, $1,000 scholarships will be awarded through a competitive application process to assist students in their continuing education in Diesel Equipment Technology.

Ryder System, Inc. is a leading provider of commercial transportation, logistics, and supply chain management solutions. Ryder’s products and services encompass everything from fleet management to large-scale supply chain solutions and turnkey transportation solutions, making commerce flow more efficiently, reliably, and safely for everyone.

Selections will be based on students’ completion of this online application, a résumé, and a 300-word essay stating why he/she should be considered for this scholarship. All scholarship materials must be typed, error free and complete.

Applications must be received electronically by midnight on April 4. Those selected to receive a scholarship will be notified no later than May 15.

 

 

*OPEN* The mikeroweWORKS Foundation Competitor Scholarship

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation, in partnership with SkillsUSA, is proud to offer a travel scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA members who have competed and placed first in their state association competition.

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation scholarship programs provide assistance to eligible students who are pursuing an education in a vocational or similar trade-related program. In 2015, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation has a priority focus on high school and college/postsecondary students who are working toward careers in the following trades: manufacturing, construction, automotive, engineering and STEM-related.

The award is based on a student-written, one-page narrative describing the student’s financial need for the scholarship including the lack of school or community resources. The student may be nominated with a letter of recommendation written by their advisor, or state director. Applications should be sent to the national office of SkillsUSA for review and determination. They must be received by Friday, May 29, 2015 (midnight EDT).

The national office will notify the winners the following week.

Requirements:

To apply for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Competitor Scholarship, applicants:

• Must be a gold medal winner at their 2015 state competition, advancing to national competition
• Have never attended the National Leadership and Skills Conference prior to this year
• Be a SkillsUSA member in good standing
• Must reasonably demonstrate financial need for scholarship
• Must submit application and attachments no later than May 29, 2015 (midnight EDT) 

 

The Southeastern Construction Owners and Associates Roundtable (SCOAR)

The Southeastern Construction Owners and Associates Roundtable (SCOAR) is offering $1,000 scholarships for students who wish to pursue further education or credential in a construction-related field.

The applicants can be a secondary student continuing their education in a postsecondary educational institution for a degree, diploma or certificate program. Applicants should be seniors in high school or already in a postsecondary institution wanting to continue their program.

This scholarship opportunity is open to SkillsUSA students who live in, or plan to attend school in one of the following eleven Southeastern states – FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, KY, TN, AL, MS, AK and LA. Apply online.

 

NTHS Scholarships for SkillsUSA Members

The National Technical Honor Society annually awards four $1,000 scholarships to SkillsUSA members at the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference. Two scholarships are awarded to high school members, and two scholarships are awarded to college/postsecondary members. To be eligible, students must be active, dues-paying members of both SkillsUSA and NTHS. To apply, schools must have an active NTHS chapter.

 

Robert Flint Student Leadership Development Scholarship

SkillsUSA members with financial needs may be eligible for a Student Leadership Development Scholarship to attend the Activate and Leverage in June or the Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) in September. Four scholarships at $1,300 each will be awarded to attend Activate and Leverage training and four scholarships at $800 each will be awarded to attend WLTI. Nominations can only be made by a state association director. For details, contact your state SkillsUSA office.

 

Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship

Through a donation from the Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund, SkillsUSA and the McMinn County Vocational Center SkillsUSA Alumni Association are offering a $500 scholarship to a SkillsUSA student in memory of Sharon Melton Myers. The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial SkillsUSA Scholarship fund will provide graduating SkillsUSA members the opportunity to continue their education in college or technical school. Apply online.

SkillsUSA Alumni Merit Scholarship

The SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Association is offering two annual merit-based $500 scholarships to qualifying students. The $500 scholarships will recognize the unique qualities of SkillsUSA students including leadership, commitment to community service, and advocating for career and technical education. Apply today.

 

If you have a question about any of the scholarships offered through SkillsUSA, please contact me at bcolburn@skillsusa.org or (703) 737-0637.

 

Thank you,

 

Brittney Colburn

Development Coordinator

Office of Business Partnerships and Development

SkillsUSA

14001 SkillsUSA Way

Leesburg, VA  20176-5494

Phone: (703) 737-0637

Email: bcolburn@skillsusa.org

 

MCC Construction, Electrical & Plumbing Meet & Greet - March 16, 2016 - 5-7 pm - SOC - ITC - Room 120

Hello Again,

 

This is a reminder that Metropolitan Community College’s Spring Construction, Electric and Plumbing Meet and Greet is being held next week.  Please share the attached flyer with any interested students.  We are excited that we have 25+ contractors who will be greeting and engaging students. 

 

 

Thank you for reminding your students!              

 

Reba Kevern

Applied Technology

Office:  402-738-4567

Cell:      402-880-7322

rkevern@mccneb.edu

 

MCC Construction, Electrical & Plumbing Meet & Greet - March 16, 2016 - 5-7 pm - SOC - ITC - Room 120

Hello Again,

 

This is a reminder that Metropolitan Community College’s Spring Construction, Electric and Plumbing Meet and Greet is being held next week.  Please share the attached flyer with any interested students.  We are excited that we have 25+ contractors who will be greeting and engaging students. 

 

Thank you for reminding your students!              

 

Reba Kevern

Applied Technology

Office:  402-738-4567

Cell:      402-880-7322

rkevern@mccneb.edu

 

Friday flash

Friday Flash

 

Be a Part of History, National Membership Deadline Approaching — March 1

Ensure you are a part of SkillsUSA history as the organization quickly approaches an all time membership high. The national membership deadline is only days away so make sure you have submitted your membership by March 1. Students must meet both state and national deadlines to be eligible for national competition, serve as voting delegates or run for national office. If you have questions or need assistance with online membership registration, hotline operators are prepared to help. Call toll free at 844-875-4557: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. EST Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 11 a.m.–7 p.m. EST Tuesday and Thursday, or email operators@skillsusa.org for assistance.

 

Safety Video Contest Submissions Deadline - March 1    

CareerSafe is again sponsoring the National Youth Safety Video Contest. Students across the nation are challenged to create a two-minute video demonstrating safety in the workplace. All submissions should be sent to CareerSafe by March 1. The winning students will receive a SkillsUSA prize pack as well as a scholarship of up to $2,500, and the winning school will receive a prize of up to $5,000. For more information on the contest, go to: www.careersafeonline.com/index.php/national-youth-safety-video-contest.

 

$2,000 Grant, Sponsored By Lowe’s, Recognizes Chapter Excellence

 

There’s an exciting opportunity for schools in your state to be recognized for exemplary chapter performance and to receive $2,000. The Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) establishes a quality baseline that all chapters are encouraged to attain, with extra incentive for exemplary chapter performance. The program consists of four award levels, with the first three levels recognized by the state and the final level eligible for national recognition. The 24 chapters recognized as models of excellence will receive a $2,000 section or chapter grant. The national application deadline is April 1, but state deadline dates vary and may be quickly approaching. Ensure your chapter receives the recognition it deserves by completing the Chapter of Excellence application. 

 

Complete your CEP application online at: www.skillsusa-register.org/Login.aspx. If you have questions, contact Gayle Silvey (gsilvey@skillsusa.org/404-216-6040) or Debbie Peabody (dpeabody@skillsusa.org/844-875-4557). Download CEP resources at: www.skillsusa.org/programs/chapter-excellence-program/.

 

Are Your Students Looking for Scholarships? We’ve Got You Covered!

SkillsUSA membership has its advantages, and there are numerous opportunities for members to apply for scholarships:

• SkillsUSA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Scholarship (deadline March 15): www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/skillsusa-stem-science-technology-engineering-mathematics-scholarship/
• SkillsUSA National Technical Honor Society Scholarship (deadline April 1): www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/national-technical-honor-society/
• SkillsUSA Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship (deadline April 29): www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/
• SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Scholarship (deadline May 1): www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/alumni-friends-scholarship/
• The Southeastern Construction Owners and Associates Roundtable (SCOAR) (open on a rolling cycle for the spring) https://skillsusa.wufoo.com/forms/scoar-scholarship/

 

Mentoring: Student2Student

Advisors: Help your students expand their world by expanding someone else’s. Help your students become mentors.

 

SkillsUSA sponsors a national recognition program based on the Student2Student mentoring program. Any chapter involved in mentoring can submit its project plan, description and outcomes. The winning chapter will be given a cash prize, recognized at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and in the SkillsUSA Awards and Recognition book. In addition, the overall winning chapter will be invited to present its winning mentoring program as a part of SkillsUSA University. For more information, go to: www.skillsusa.org/programs/mentoring-student2student/mentoring-recognition-program.

 

All entries must be submitted online to the national headquarters by April 1. Winners will be announced in May. You can also use this link to download the Mentoring Guide: www.skillsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mentoring-Guide-rev.2015.pdf. If you have any questions, please email them to Byekwaso Gilbert (bgilbert@skillsusa.org) or call 816-726-4255.

 

Alumni Membership Incentive

SkillsUSA’s Alumni Executive Board is offering an incentive for local advisors who sign up alumni from their chapters. For every five members an advisor registers with the SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Association, he or she will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Lowe’s gift card.

 

To be officially entered into the drawing, the advisor must have students register online at: www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/alumni/. (Paper forms will not be accepted.) The advisor must then send an email to Byekwaso Gilbert at bgilbert@skillsusa.org. The email must contain all of the following:

 

• the advisor’s name, school, address, phone number and email (make sure what you provide will be accessible to you after June 1)
• a list (for verification) of the students (first and last names) who registered as alumni

 

Remember that graduating seniors qualify to register during their senior year. Former SkillsUSA students are also eligible, provided they are not members already. These students must register through their former advisor to be counted as part of that advisor’s entry. Students may only register once. Deadline for entry into the drawing is June 1.

 

Tech Tip

How to Make Social Media Management Less Time Consuming

If you don’t have time to stop every three hours and think of a clever tweet or post content to Facebook, here’s a tip: sign up for www.Buffer.com. Buffer allows you to schedule tweets and Facebook posts hours, days or even months in advance. Just type in your text, attach a photo and select a time or let buffer choose for you based on your account’s optimal posting time. Spend 30 minutes once a week thinking of content to share with your network, and schedule your posts throughout the week.

 

Tip: It’s okay to reuse tweets on Twitter. In fact, you should repost your tweets. Think of a tweet as a billboard on a busy highway. A driver may pass by three or four billboards for the same company before they acknowledge that business and think, “Yeah, I actually am craving McDonald’s fries.” The driver is your audience or your “followers”, your tweets are the billboards, and the Big Mac that person is now craving is your message. Make sure not to use the same tweet twice in a row. Leave one or two tweets in between repeats, and do your best not to reuse Facebook posts. If you need to reuse a Facebook post, just switch up the words a bit and maybe attach a new photo. The message is the same but the content will feel new.

 

 

 

SkillsUSA - Criminal Justice

Technical Standards, it states that the student should be part of a law enforcement and/or public security program

 

If you have a student that has interest in this as a career and wants to compete, and there is no program at school, then get a copy of the Technical Standards to your local law enforcement and ask that they do some training for  that student so he/she can come to state conference and compete/show their skills!  The judges do not really have time to teach them during the contest time, which has been happening.  This is not fair to those contestants who come prepared to compete.

 

If you register a student for state conference, it is your responsibility they have enough skills to go in and compete!!  We always have several students who go in without any subject knowledge of a contest

 

I am requesting names or contestant numbers of any students who show up for a contest and have no clue as to what is going on -  they need to be prepared. 

 

Greg Stahr

SkillsUSA Nebraska, State Advisor

402-471-0898

greg.stahr@nebraska.gov

www.skillsusanebraska.org

 

SkillsUSA - SLC 1

SkillsUSA Nebraska Advisors,

 

You all received information about how to complete your chapter membership on the national website.  February 15 is the deadline for Nebraska membership.

 

The next thing for you to do is to start thinking about getting your registration for State Conference started.  State Conference is April 20 – 22, in Omaha at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Omaha Hotel, the Century Link and Metropolitan Community College South Campus/ITC.  Registration for SLC is $60 per person.  The registration deadline for State Conference is March 2.

 

To register for state conference, you will be using the Nebraska SkillsUSA state website, http://www.skillsusanebraska.org/.  Do not go to the SkillsUSA National website – that is only for registering membership.   The first thing to do on this State website is to “Get An Account” for you and your student members competing at state.  This “Get An Account” button is on the top right hand side of the home webpage.  Most of you already have an account and you will just have to ” LOG IN” in and update your information.  We were told by our management company of this program, that they were going to wipe the student accounts clean this year(tons of extra accounts).  That means all of your members will  have to also “Get An Account”.  So ideally you need to give your members this information as to how to get an account.  They will have to follow the prompts and complete that account.  If a student knows their user name and password, they can ” LOG IN” to activate their account and update it.  The advisor account has to be opened first and updated, so the students can pick the correct advisor.   Following this email, you will receive another email from Cori with a pictorial explanation of registering for state conference on the state website. WOW, WAS THAT DIFFICULT TO WRITE OUT!!    HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND IT!!

 

Attached is the Contest Eligibility Sheet for you to follow for registering for state.  Go ahead and print some of these out and post them around your classroom.  This sheet gives you all of the competitions we will hold at state and specific information about each.  You should have the Technical Standards CD to make copies of individual contests for your students.  DO NOT send them to state without seeing the standards for their contests.  The State Only contest Standards are on the website (more on that next week).

 

IF you have more than 50 registrants for state, please contact Cori for an easier way to get these accounts opened.   

 

I left off Seward for those schools who registered membership early.  They have 44 members registered.  Are there any other schools I missed?

 

 

 

Greg Stahr

SkillsUSA Nebraska, State Advisor

402-471-0898

greg.stahr@nebraska.gov

www.skillsusanebraska.org

 

SKillsUSA Nebraska - Skills Week Ideas

What are you planning for SkillsUSA Week – February 7 -13.  If those dates don’t work for you, do something the next week.  Get together with the other CTSO chapters in your school and do one project that week together.  Do something to get the SkillsUSA name out in the public.  Have a teacher breakfast,  get an article in the paper about the week (include some facts), wear skills t-shirts during the week or at least one day, have a dress up day, take Friday of that week and schedule industry tours, have daily announcements that week promoting SkillsUSA and Career/Technical Education, get the Mike Rowe PSA out to your local radio station/s, have a chapter meeting and do something fun

Omaha Lancer Fundraising

Here is a fundraiser from a former Papio South student.

 

If your club/activity/sport is looking to do a fundraiser, read the email below, see the attachment, and contact Taylor Newstrom at trnewstrom@my.bellevue.edu 

 I'm working on getting a PDF to send with specific dates available. Once the group decides on a date/game they want to attend we provide a link they can send out to anyone who would like to purchase tickets. Depending on what game is chosen the group could earn up to $6 back per ticket to go towards fundraising. 

Scholarship Opportunities with CareerSafe!

 

Check out scholarship opportunities available to your students! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.   CareerSafe has started a movement of students promoting safety awareness through scholarship opportunities. Students are challenged to create videos, audio public service announcements and written essays expressing the importance of safety training. We want to assist students through all parts of their academic career as they finish their educations to become independent contributors to a safer workplace. Check out all the exciting scholarships available below! National Youth Essay Scholarship Contest Students are encouraged to write an essay describing how their OSHA 10-Hour card has made an impact in the way they recognize hazards and how it will be a benefit to their future. CareerSafe will select up to four (4) students to be awarded a $500 scholarship each quarter.   National Youth Safety Video Contest SkillsUSA and CareerSafe partner to challenge students to create a short video demonstrating safety in the workplace. Students can win up to $2,500 and their teacher can receive up to $5,000 for his or her classroom. The top three video winners will receive scholarship prizes and be announced at the Opening Ceremony of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, KY.   National Cyber Safety PSA Scholarship Contest FCCLA partnered with CareerSafe to educate individuals on the importance of protecting yourself online. Students are challenged to create a 30 second audio clip promoting the importance of safe online behavior. The winning students will have their audio clip broadcast nationwide through the National Association of Broadcasters airways as well as receive $1,000 scholarship. Regards, Katie George Deputy Program Manager 888.614.7233

 

Text of the November 15 Executive Update

1)      Lowes does have its sponsorship again this year, so look that over if you are interested in getting $25K for a school/community project.  I will be asking about TeamWorks next month, and will need commitments on that in December.

2)      Do you have a member who can sing an awesome National Anthem?

3)      National Pin and T-shirt design contest – this is different than the Nebraska SkillsUSA Pin and t-shirt contest!!

4)      Time to start considering what your chapter can do for SkillsUSA Week!!

5)      Can your chapter members get the below Public Service Announcement (PSA) to your local radio station?  Mike Rowe is a great partner for us!!

6)      National Youth Safety Video contest for nationals

 

Important Dates

 

Dec. 7-8                       SkillsUSA Board of Directors Meeting via Webinar

February 2016              Career and Technical Education Month

Feb. 7-13                      SkillsUSA Week

 

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

 

Staff Visits Future Conference Sites

On Nov. 1-3, Shelly Coates, Ashley Ridgeway, Dave Worden and I traveled to Atlanta to conduct a site visit for the next national conference bid from 2021-26. Atlanta, Houston and Louisville, Ky., are the three cities being considered. In Atlanta, we visited the Georgia World Congress Center, where 1.3 million square feet of useable space and more than 100 meeting rooms could accommodate the NLSC and still allow room for growth. The team also toured six hotels within a few blocks of the convention center that have ample meeting space and over 6,300 sleeping rooms. The site visit continued with tours of two arenas and auxiliary meeting space. We were also introduced to multiple transportation and entertainment options. The city brought together key community leaders, such as Chief of Police George Turner, the vice commissioner for Georgia economic development and other city and state officials. Our state association director Ashley Brown participated in a portion of the events and was accompanied by several local and state SkillsUSA supporters who pledged to further support the national event should this city be selected. Other guests included Carol Burke from the Georgia Department of Education and Scott Shelor, CEO of the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia. There were great meetings with city safety, security and many other service providers, including a vast variety of food services, whose staff answered multiple questions about the different aspects of the conference. The same team of SkillsUSA staff will be in Houston for the final site visit next week, in preparation for the board's conference review committee meeting Nov. 17-18 in Leesburg. The committee will be hearing presentations from all three cities Nov. 18.

 

Honors for a Major Supporter at NCCER

I flew from Atlanta to Jacksonville, Fla., where the board of trustees of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) met Nov. 4-5. I was privileged to assist in honoring Boyd Worsham for his service to NCCER and SkillsUSA at a special reception Wednesday evening. Boyd chairs our national Carpentry competition and does an outstanding job. A former SkillsUSA member and competitor, he now serves as the vice president of the Haskell Company, a major design/build firm in Jacksonville. During the full board meeting on Thursday, I was asked to provide a SkillsUSA update and share the data from the recent "Inspiring the Next Generation Workforce" that was released on Manufacturing Day by SkillsUSA, the Manufacturing Institute and the Education Research Center of America (ERCA). It is always great to spend quality time with some of the nation's largest and best commercial contractors. They do a lot for SkillsUSA and for the U.S. economy.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

·         In coordination with Mike Rowe and the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, staff member Tom Kercheval produced 30- and 60-second audio PSAs that address the skills gap and position SkillsUSA as a solution to that problem. An announcement with links to the PSAs was sent to more than 2,000 radio PSA directors across the nation this week. To listen, go to: www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/chapters/communications-and-marketing/public-service-announcements/. We also encourage everyone to pass these PSAs along to your own local radio stations.

 

·         Gayle Silvey and Kelly Horton recently traveled to New Jersey, and Tom Kercheval joined them in Atlanta, to capture footage from Models of Excellence chapters and sound bites for next year's membership kit, Jump into STEM! and chapter meeting footage for educational resources and general use.

 

That's all for now. Thanks for all you do for the great students and teachers we serve.

GET THE LATEST ON LOWE'S GRANTS

 

Lowe's continues a seventh year of generosity with another round of SkillsUSA grants in 2016. Grant information and the application are now available on the SkillsUSA website at: www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/grants/lowes/. The guidelines and focus of the grant program are changed slightly from years past. 

                  

The focus of the 2016 SkillsUSA Lowe's grant program will be significant community service projects. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded. Only one application per school will be accepted.

  

The best proposed projects will:

·         provide a life-changing experience for the SkillsUSA students involved and the beneficiaries of the grant dollars

·         demonstrate a well-articulated planned partnership with engagement from local Lowe's store team(s)

·         show impact in the community — How many SkillsUSA students participated? How many members of the community were affected?

·         show collaboration with other organizations and show sustainability

·         show active use of social media to promote and document the project

·         be improvement projects that use Lowe's as a resource (employee knowledge and/or products available at Lowe's)

 

Questions? Join a webinar!

 

Join us for a webinar Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. EST

Register now at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7207987384870381314

 

Join us for a webinar Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. EST

Register now at:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2928804677798794498

 

Join us for a webinar Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. EST 
Register now at:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3976530407417866498

Join us for a webinar Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. EST 
Register now at:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9097768597063684610

 

Still have questions? Please send an email to LowesGrants@skillsusa.org. The deadline for grant applications is Dec. 20 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late applications will not be accepted. Please review the grant guidelines to be sure that applications are properly completed and submitted.

 

 

CENGAGE LEARNING LAUNCHES NEW MEMBER BENEFIT

 

SkillsUSA announces a new partnership with Cengage Learning to offer members online courses at a reduced rate. The program will benefit the SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Association, which will receive a percentage of all sales. While focused toward alumni, the program is open to any SkillsUSA member. The learning options include long and short courses and can be used for independent study, flipped classroom or professional development. There are more than 300 online courses on a variety of topics including software, starting a business and leadership development. Most classes can be completed in about six weeks. There is also a Career Transitions platform of tools including résumé building, interview practice and career assessments. To take a look or to sign up for classes, go to: www.ed2go.com/pages/skillsusa/. Thanks to Cengage Learning for its support of our alumni.

 

 

CHECK OUT THESE SCHOLARSHIPS

 

SkillsUSA STEM Scholarship

SkillsUSA is proud to continue the SkillsUSA STEM Scholarship established by Air Products. This scholarship program is part of SkillsUSA's newly created STEM Fund. The STEM Fund will help raise public awareness that career and technical education is STEM. (STEM refers to a curriculum educating students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.)

Scholarships will be awarded through a competitive application process to SkillsUSA students (graduating seniors in high school as well as college/postsecondary students) whose area of study will lead them into a STEM-related field.

Online applications are due March 15. Please note that uploaded attachments must be typed, error free, complete and uploaded in a Microsoft Word document (.doc) or PDF format. Scholarship winners will be notified by April 15. Checks will be sent to winners' schools.

www.skillsusa.org/membership-resources/scholarships-financial-aid/skillsusa-stem-science-technology-engineering-mathematics-scholarship/

 

 

SUBMIT YOUR TECHNICAL PROGRAM FOR THE EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARDS

 

The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) has announced the third annual Excellence in Action award to recognize and honor superior career technical education (CTE) programs of study.

 

Selected programs will exemplify excellence in the implementation of the career clusters, and have impact on student achievement and success. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
 This is an opportunity to have your program recognized on a national level in the media or at conferences throughout the year. The 2015 award winners were honored at the White House and at the ACTE national conference, as well as had mentions in local and national news media. Click here to learn more or apply for the award: www.careertech.org/excellence-action-award.  All application materials should be received at NASDCTEc by Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. EST. 

 

 

GET READY TO … JUMP INTO STEM!

 

SkillsUSA members are bridging the gap between elementary-age students and STEM careers with the groundbreaking new program Jump into STEM! Elementary-age participants take part in dynamic and interactive experiences facilitated by SkillsUSA members. Jump into STEM! materials are detailed and organized to make facilitation simple, yet power-packed, with information that will engage participants in a meaningful experience and intentional learning. The curriculum provides 22 interactive and memorable sessions, each written to introduce elementary students to different STEM careers and career clusters, as well as the value of SkillsUSA. During the sessions, chapter members introduce themselves, present activities that engage student learning and share specific career cluster and occupational information. The curriculum includes two sessions for 11 of the Career Clusters.

 

Jump into STEM! is a free member benefit of SkillsUSA professional membership. Professional members receive an automatic email upon submitting membership that includes a PIN for easy access into Jump into STEM! and the Career Readiness Curriculum, both of which are conveniently located on the advisor login page of the SkillsUSA registration site.

 

 

AMAZON SMILE PURCHASES BENEFIT SKILLSUSA

 

As we begin to think about the upcoming holidays and gift purchases, please know that Amazon Smile will donate .05 percent of the purchase price of eligible products purchased through Amazon.com to SkillsUSA.  Please use this link to make your purchases:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7122568.  Many thanks for your support!

 

WIN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

 

The Women's Industry Network (WIN) is committed to financially supporting female students who demonstrate their desire to excel in the field of collision repair/refinishing technology. 

 

The College Student Tuition and Conference Scholarship Award is presented to female students enrolled in a college/postsecondary collision repair/refinishing technology program. Each scholarship recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue her postsecondary education in collision repair, as well as a one-year WIN membership. Some recipients will also be selected to receive the registration fee and travel expenses to attend the 2016 WIN Education Conference.

 

The High School Tuition Scholarship Award is presented to female students enrolled in a secondary collision repair/refinishing technology program who plan to continue their studies at a technical school or college. Each scholarship winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue her postsecondary education in collision repair and a one-year WIN membership.

 

The deadline for applications is Jan. 15. For scholarship requirement details and submission instructions, go to: www.thewomensindustrynetwork.ning.com/page/scholarships. For more information about the WIN scholarship program, please contact: Bev Rook-Twibell at 816-678-4777 or email Beverly.rook@safelite.com.

 

 

CALL FOR SKILLSUSA TALENT REMINDER

 

Do you have a talented singer in your state who would enjoy a special performance opportunity? SkillsUSA seeks talented singers for the opening ceremony during the 2016 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. We are looking for a SkillsUSA student, alumni or professional member to sing the national anthem. Singers may sing a capella or to a pre-recorded instrumental track. Audition tapes must be the singing of the national anthem. 

 

Send in all audition videotapes of the national anthem only on CD or DVD, to be received (not postmarked) by Feb. 1 to: Heidi Walsh, SkillsUSA, 14001 SkillsUSA Way, Leesburg, VA 20176.  NOTE: Items must be received by Feb. 1, not postmarked. Questions may be directed to Heidi at 703-737-0615 or hwalsh@skillsusa.org. 

 

 

UPCOMING WORK FORCE READY SYSTEM WEBINARS!

 

Please join us for one or more webinars on the Skill Connect® Assessments, part of the Work Force Ready System. You must register using the links below to participate in the webinars. Once you register, you will receive an email with information on how to join.

 

Teacher Tips for Student Success — Skill Connect® Assessments 
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015                   4 p.m.-5 p.m. ET

Learn how you can better prepare your students for the Skill Connect® Assessment process. Useful tips and tools will be shared with the participants. Topics covered: various resources available to prepare students and where to find them, blueprint overview, overview of Skill Connect Certificates and reporting tools.

 

Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4895674848439796482

Webinar ID: 144-555-435

 

Incorporating the Skill Connect® Assessments into Your Student Learning Process
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015                 4 p.m.-5 p.m. ET

Learn about the Skill Connect Assessment system and how the up-to-date, affordable system can be incorporated into your programs. This unique assessment system was created by industry to validate students' entry-level knowledge and skills. Learn about the media-rich system that engages students in the assessment process to better validate their knowledge and skills. Plus, see the dynamic reporting tools and the various preparation resources available that teachers and administrators can use for program improvement and student success.

Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5209310540262974978
Webinar ID: 141-054-355

 

Look for other training webinars to assist with online ordering and management tools in our archives at:  http://www.workforcereadysystem.org/faqsupport/webinars.

 

 

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE!

NATIONAL CONFERENCE PIN AND T-SHIRT DESIGN

Calling all talented designers! Feb. 1 is the deadline for entries to the SkillsUSA National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge. This event is open to all paid student members of SkillsUSA. This is a great way to have a student and advisor from your school recognized. Rules are posted on the SkillsUSA website at: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/pin-design-contest/. Questions may be directed to Heidi Walsh at 703-737-0615 or by email to hwalsh@skillsusa.org.

 

 

HP LIFE UPDATES — SAME GREAT CONTENT, NEW PLATFORM

 

We are pleased to share some exciting news from HP LIFE. In late November, HP LIFE e-Learning will move to a new platform powered by EdCast, one of the world's leading open online education providers. But don't worry, you won't miss out on any of the things you love about HP LIFE.

 

·         The URL will remain the same — it is still www.life-global.org/go/skillsusa

·         The content in the courses will remain the same, just organized slightly differently

·         Students will still have the opportunity to earn certificates by completing this material

 

Action Needed by Users

To make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your students, you need to do a few things.

 

1.            When you log into HP LIFE, you should be getting a message asking you to "opt in." Please have everyone opt in. Or, you may have been getting emails reminding you to opt in with a link. Either way will work. If you aren't sure if you have opted in, you can do so at the link below. Opting in allows your HP LIFE account to be transferred to the new platform without the need to create a new account.

2.            Visit the HP LIFE e-Learning opt-in Web page at: http://tinyurl.com/pfocy93.

3.            Download and save certificates, transcripts and business plans that you have earned or are working on. The certificates should transition to the new platform without any issues, but it is always better to take precautions. The transcripts will not be immediately available but will eventually flow to the new system. And, the business plans are turning into a downloadable resource that will be available in the educator section on the new platform.

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Kim Norbuta at kimnorbuta@gmail.com.

 

 

DUE DATES

Nov. 15            Membership registration deadline to receive Ignite

Nov. 24            Verizon Innovative App Challenge entry deadline

Nov. 30            National Advisor of the Year applications due to Jeri Widdowson

Dec. 1              Lowe's Social Media Campaign Challenge entries due

Jan. 15              WIN Scholarship applications due

Feb. 1               Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge entries due

Feb. 1               National Anthem audition tapes due

March 1           National Youth Safety Video Contest entries due

March 15         SkillsUSA STEM Scholarship applications due

April 1             President's Volunteer Service Award applications due

April 29           Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Scholarship applications due

May 1               SkillsUSA Alumni and Friends Merit Scholarship applications due

 

 

 

SkillsUSA: Champions at Work