These students are an amazing group. They possess the skills that every employer seeks, including leadership, initiative, communication, teamwork and problem solving.
Leesburg, Va. (PRWEB) May 02, 2017
SkillsUSA recently named 24 SkillsUSA chapters as Models of Excellence. This national program recognizes the integration and application of personal, workplace and technical skills in SkillsUSA chapter activities. This is one of the highest awards bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, which is among the largest student organizations for career and technical education.
“The Models of Excellence program represents the very best in chapter achievement and community involvement,” said Timothy W. Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “These chapters define excellence across the board, serving as models for other chapters to emulate in strengthening their local programs. These students represent our future workforce and reflect the future of their communities.”
The 24 Models of Excellence chapters will participate in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Ky., June 19-23. Activities include finalist interviews, an awards dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum, and recognition at an awards ceremony in front of more than 12,000 students, instructors and business leaders. The chapters will also receive a grant of up to $4,000 from program sponsor Lowe’s Companies Inc.
“This is the third year Lowe’s has supported this program, and we are honored to be part of it,” said Troy J. Dally, Lowe’s senior vice president, general merchandising manager, seasonal and services. “These students are an amazing group. They possess the skills that every employer seeks, including leadership, initiative, communication, teamwork and problem solving. Their teachers and advisors take the education of these students to the next level by elevating it from classroom instruction to successful application and fulfillment.”
The Models of Excellence program promotes the intentional learning of personal, workplace and technical skills outlined in the SkillsUSA Framework for student development. Specific characteristics within each skill area ensure tangible benchmarks for student achievement and chapter programming. Achievement is measured by the effectiveness of students in implementing the chapter activities including personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic and organization. The hands-on approach of the program actualizes the SkillsUSA mission of empowering members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
Here are the 2017 SkillsUSA Models of Excellence schools, listed alphabetically, stating whether this is a schoolwide chapter or single training program, and the component of the SkillsUSA Framework for which their program is being recognized this year (personal, workplace or technical skills):
Alabama
Carver High School (3-D visualization and animation program, Personal Skills)
Arizona
Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
Kofa High School (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
California
Southeast ROP/Norwalk High School (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
Georgia
Cross Keys High School (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
Stephens County High School (cosmetology program, Personal Skills)
Union Grove High School (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
Massachusetts
Greater Lowell Technical High (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
Lynn Vocational Technical High (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
North Carolina
Catawba Valley Community College (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
New Jersey
Bergen County Academies (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
Gloucester County Institute of Technology (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
New Mexico
Hobbs High School (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
Ohio
Fairfield Career Center (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
Upper Valley Career Center (schoolwide chapter, Technical Skills)
Texas
A&M Consolidated High School (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
Keller Center for Advanced Learning (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
Rudder High School (advertising design program, Technical Skills)
Rudder High School (audiovisual technology program, Workplace Skills)
Westwood High School (drafting program, Workplace Skills)
Vermont
Green Mountain Technology Career Center (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
West Virginia
Putnam Career and Technical Center (schoolwide chapter, Workplace Skills)
Wyoming
Central High School (schoolwide chapter, Personal Skills)
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 335,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to: http://www.SkillsUSA.org.
About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.
SkillsUSA Contacts:
Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, Public Relations
Gayle Silvey, Associate Director, Office of Education
703-777-8810
jshort(at)skillsusa(dot)org or kkitzel(at)skillsusa(dot)org or gsilvey(at)skillsusa(dot)org
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