America’s highly skilled workforce met in Louisville

SkillsUSA gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, 22-26 June 2015 for its 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, a showcase of the talent of career and technical education students. Quality career and technical education was the centerpiece of the conference. More than 15,000 students, teachers, education leaders, and representatives from more than 600 national corporations, trade associations, businesses, and labor unions participated in the event - with its highlight of 100 hands-on skill and leadership competitions.

SkillsUSA is sending 19 career and technical education students to São Paulo, Brazil, to compete in 16 skill categories during the 43rd WorldSkills Competition, held 11-16, 2015. “The SkillsUSA WorldTeam will meet and compete in Brazil with young workers from all around the globe, and the team will represent our country well,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director, SkillsUSA. “And, just as in sports competitions, winning contestants will be awarded medals and honors. But, the difference between this and sports is that nations rise on the success of their workforce. Skilled, capable and flexible workers are the backbone of any nation’s economy and this competition highlights that fact.” SkillsUSA is a member of WorldSkills International - the organization that sponsors the biennial WorldSkills Competition (WSC). Participation in the WSC has provided a vehicle for comparing career and technical students and methods of training in the US with that of other countries and regions. The training technologies displayed at the WSC exemplify the ultimate standard in skilled workforce preparation. As such, they offer important lessons for students, technical instructors, and for SkillsUSA’s corporate partners, whose productivity depends on employees with up-to-date skills.

www.skillsusa.org