News and Updates

We have a lot happening this year in SkillsUSA Missouri!  We have a new website: www.SkillsUSAmo.org which has all the information you will need for updates, conferences, registrations, etc.  If you need additional information, please contact:

SkillsUSA Missouri State Director
Bri Nicholson
573-751-4460

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high performance workers in public career and technical programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work: high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives’, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA was formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

More than 360,000 members are a part of SkillsUSA annually, organized into more than 15,000 sections and 54 state and territorial associations. Currently, 15,166 teachers and school administrators serve as professional SkillsUSA members and instructors. More than 1,100 business, industry and labor sponsors actively support SkillsUSA at the national level through financial aid, in-kind contributions, and involvement of their people in SkillsUSA activities. Many more work directly with state associations and local chapters. SkillsUSA has served more than 12 million members.

The National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a national showcase of career and technical education students is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. More than 15,500 people—including students, teachers and business partners — participate in the week-long event. The SkillsUSA Championships will be held in the Kentucky Exposition Center. More than 5,500 outstanding career and technical education students—all state contest winners—competed hands-on in more than 100 different trade, technical and leadership skills. Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by industry.

The Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, Inc. (VICA) was founded in 1965 by students and teachers who were serious about their professions and saw the need for more training in the areas of leadership to complement their chosen vocation. In Nashville, Tennessee, 14 states were represented, as VICA chose it's name, colors, motto, purposes and goals.

In 1969 the first theme was "Speak Up for America," and the first handbook was published in 1970 with the theme being “Skills Build America.” Land was purchased for the National Leadership Headquarters in 1974 and ground breaking took place in 1978. Health Sciences Education became part of VICA in 1986. The Professional Development Program became a reality in 1988. The official name for the national competition became SkillsUSA Championships in 1995. SkillsUSA-VICA became the official name of the organization at the national National Leadership and Skills Conference on July 4, 1999.

In 2001, Timothy W. Lawrence, a former student member, became national executive director. Formerly national director of business and industry partnerships, Lawrence had also been a classroom instructor, industry employee, state association director and member of the Board of Directors. The same year an ex-officio position was created for National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium. On Sept. 1, 2004 the organization's name officially changed to SkillsUSA.

SkillsUSA's Youth Development Foundation's purpose is to provide support to the goals and purposes of SkillsUSA, including student awards, preparation of special publications or funds for the SkillsUSA Championships.

SkillsUSA Missouri is a state association of SkillsUSA Inc. SkillsUSA Missouri consists of nine districts with over 85 local chapters with a membership of nearly 10,000.

SkillsUSA Missouri is the CTSO for Skilled Technical Sciences. It is an applied method of learning where students practice skills and build self-confidence while helping their schools and communities. The SkillsUSA Professional Development Program is a curriculum which involves local industry and academics which can be used in day-trades, apprenticeship training, cooperative education, school-to-work, academic and special needs programs. Our program emphasizes high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education and pride.

SkillsUSA activities foster the development of problem-solving ability and teamwork while building self-confidence and communication skills. These are qualities employers value and look for when hiring or promoting workers. The local program of work sets the pace for the SkillsUSA chapter.

Membership

Register for membership

Missouri SkillsUSA is an association of local chapters organized in the State of Missouri and operating in accordance with a charter granted by SkillsUSA, Inc. Membership of Missouri SkillsUSA shall consist of eligible members of the chartered local chapters and members shall hold the same membership status in their respective local chapter.

The purpose of SkillsUSA Missouri is to ensure that participating students are provided a positive educational experience and are adequately prepared to meet the challenges of their future. Through extra effort and determination, the students participating in SkillsUSA Missouri events can motivate themselves to develop more skills than would otherwise be expected. Those extra skills can provide them with a higher quality of experience throughout their lifetime.

The official membership year starts September 1 each year.

A local chapter must have at least ten members or 100% of the vocational class, if there are less than ten students eligible for membership. Members of the State Association must be members of the national organization to qualify for a charter. Each local chapter and state association shall be open for membership to all students regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, disability, or national origin. The State Treasurer shall report on or before March 1 of each school year as to which chapters have paid their membership dues or conference fees in full. These chapters shall be designated as chapters in good standing.

Membership classes recognized by Missouri SkillsUSA are:

Active Membership: Students enrolled in a coherent sequence of courses or career major that prepares them for further education and/or employment related to technology, the health industry, trades or industry and who are earning credit toward a high school diploma/certificate or its equivalent. Dues shall be $18.00 per membership year and shall be payable by February 1st to the National Association. The National Office will return $10.00 of the dues per member to the State Association where $9.00 shall be set aside for state operation and $1.00 shall be set aside for district operation.

Professional Membership: Persons associated with or participating in the professional development of Missouri SkillsUSA as approved by the policies of the State Association. Such members shall include classroom teachers, teachers aides, counselors, teacher educators, supervisors or other professional or paraprofessional staff. Professional members will pay dues as established by SkillsUSA, Inc., but will be ineligible to hold office or vote. Dues shall be $30.00 per membership year and shall be payable by February 1st to the National Association. The National Office will return $10.00 of the dues per member to the State Association where $9.00 shall be set aside for state operation and $1.00 shall be set aside for district operation.

Associate Membership: Cooperative employers and/or training station sponsors, advisory council members, students, and lay persons associated with and contributing to the improvement and development of the organization and vocational trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education. They are not eligible to hold office or vote. The membership fee are the same as Professional Membership.

Alumni Membership: Individuals who were former VICA , SkillsUSA–VICA or SkillsUSA members who have graduated and are no longer eligible for membership in secondary or post secondary divisions. They are not eligible to hold office or vote in the student divisions.