Helen Smith, graphic communications student at Sandy Creek High School, was elected to serve as national officer and Region II Vice President of the High School Division of SkillsUSA.
As a SkillsUSA national officer, Smith will serve as a student leader, spokesperson and ambassador for the SkillsUSA organization and will participate in national membership and industry tours during the 2016-2017 school year. She will speak on behalf of SkillsUSA before students, instructors and representatives of business and industry. She will also represent the national organization at various events.
In addition to her national officer duties, Smith will also serve as Secretary of the Joint Executive Council. In this position she will help coordinate activities and communication between the College/Postsecondary and High School Divisions of SkillsUSA.
“Helen’s passion for hard work and education makes her a great leader for our student members,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “I look forward to working with her this year.”
To run for a national office, SkillsUSA members must be nominated by their school, local training program and state leaders. They must also participate in the Professional Development Program, a curriculum that focuses on professionalism and advancing from school to work. Candidates must also have proven leadership ability. Once they have made it to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, candidates must then pass a knowledge test, interview for candidacy and begin the campaign process to more than 389 high school student delegates representing the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference is the largest and most diverse showcase of skill training in the nation. More than 6,000 students compete nationally in hands-on skills and leadership events.
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 300,000 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, visit www.SkillsUSA.org.
