What is SkillsUSA?
SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization that prepares students for success in the skilled trades, technical fields, and leadership roles. Its purpose is to develop a highly skilled workforce through education, competitions, and real-world training aligned with industry standards. Membership includes middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs, along with instructors and industry partners.
Benefits of joining SkillsUSA include opportunities to compete in skill-based events, build leadership and teamwork abilities, earn scholarships and recognition, network with employers, and gain hands-on experience that helps students transition into careers or further education.
What does it involve? Membership in SkillsUSA offers students a wide range of activities and benefits focused on career readiness and leadership development. Members can participate in hands-on competitions in areas like construction, healthcare, IT, and public speaking, as well as attend leadership conferences, workshops, and networking events with industry professionals. These activities help students build technical skills, confidence, teamwork, and communication abilities.
Benefits of membership include opportunities for scholarships, career connections, résumé building, and real-world experience that prepares students for both the workforce and further education. The organization also offers competitive events at the regional, state and national levels.
Membership Includes students from the following programs: · Law & Public Safety (Instructor: Ricky Woods) · Fire Science (Instructor: Danny Pannell) · Advanced Manufacturing (Instructor: Jamie Berryhill) · Logistics & Supply Chain (Instructor: Mike Doss) · Student Services (Instructor: Jessica Morris) Located at DeSoto County Schools, CTC East Campus Serving High Schools throughout the DeSoto County School
District Featured Activities:
Leadership Conference: Students attend a local leadership conference each year where veteran members and advisory staff members introduce potential members to the organization and discuss the year’s events, activities, expectations and competitions available. See pictures attached.
Community Service/Business Partnerships: Students are invited to participate in activities that allow them to work side-by side with industry professionals and attend field trips to learn about business operations and gain experience in their chosen fields. Park clean-up days, collecting donations of food and toys and decoration judging are just a few of the activities performed during this school year. See pictures attached.
Competitions: Students are able to compete in a variety of activities featuring specific career pathways as well as leadership events such as job interview, public speaking, and quiz bowl. Students competed in a regional contest at Northwest MS Community College with other programs throughout North Mississippi. The chapter came away with several top 3 awards and earned state contest bids for over 20 students. See pictures attached.
