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Advisor Update

January 2026

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Michigan Career Education Conference:

I will be exhibiting at MICEC in Grand Rapids this year on January 26-27. Please stop by and say hi!

Bradley Ransom

State Director

[email protected]

Reminders

Membership

Due January 15, 2026

Our membership registration deadline is January 15th. Remember, students must be registered to participate in competitive events, including regional conferences, so you may need to register earlier.

The Customer Care Team is available to help as needed.

P: 844-875-4557 [email protected]

▶ SkillsUSA-Register.org

Regional Competitions

Registration is open!

It's almost time for our regional competitions!

Check the regional webpage for information on your regions.

▶ Regional Webpage

State Leadership & Skills Conference

Our 2026 State Leadership and Skills Conference takes place April 17-19th in Grand Rapids. Registration opens on March 1st.

We plan to have contest guidelines available in early February.

HVACr Makes A Comeback!

This April the HVACr competition will once again take place at SLSC. This competition will be hosted at Ferris State University. If you have students interested in competing there is still time complete a Direct to State Form. Reach out to your Regional Representatives for more this form. Finalized guidelines will be posted in early February, with Direct to State forms due February 15.

Direct to State Forms are due February 15th.

Contact your Regional Representative for the link to the form.

Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Update:

Competitors are limited to participating in this event at SLSC during their first two years in SkillsUSA.

State Officer Applications

Due March 1, 2026

Being a State Officer is one of the most rewarding experiences SkillsUSA offers its student members.

Having a full State Officer Team is critical to the success of the organization, so we need your outstanding student leaders to take the leap and become candidates!

Follow this link to begin the State Officer Candidate Application Process.

If your school plans to submit candidates, we strongly recommend limiting your submissions to 2 candidates per school.

Reach out to Andrew at [email protected] with any questions.

Looking Ahead

National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)

June 1-6, 2026

Atlanta, Georgia

NLSC will be held EARLY THIS YEAR due to the FIFA World Cup which takes over the city in mid-to-late June. As such, the deadlines are also earlier this year. We plan to have the registration information posted on the website prior to the State Conference, so you can budget and talk to your students early.

National Anthem at the National Conference

Do you have a student with a musical gift to share with the SkillsUSA community? If so, encourage them apply to perform the national anthem at the Opening Session of SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference this June. The chosen performer will be offered a performance opportunity on the big stage in front of over 15,000 people plus complimentary conference registration if their sole purpose of attendance is to perform the national anthem. Apply here by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 30, 2026. For questions, contact Melinda Lloyd.

Other Updates

Chapter Excellence Program

Submit your chapter application for the Chapter Excellence Program by February 15th for state and possibly national recognition. You all do such amazing work and deserve to be recognized for it!

SkillsUSA Michigan Advisor of the Year

Submit your application for Michigan Advisor of the Year by February 15thfor state and possibly national recognition. Professional members whose chapter completed a CEP Level 2 qualify to submit an AOY application. The AOY application is visible on the registration website only when the CEP level 2 has been submitted (last year’s CEP submission counts as well).

National Welding Competition in Kentucky!

The Kentucky Welding Institute would like to invite you and your students to attend and compete in the Kentucky Welding Institute National Senior Welding Contest, taking place Saturday, April 11 in Flemingsburg, Kentucky.

This event brings together high-school seniors from across the country for a full day of competition, networking, and exposure to the skilled trades. In addition to welding, students will have the opportunity to compete in cutting contests and a crane operating contest, giving them hands-on experience across multiple industry-relevant skills.

For those traveling from out of town, The Kentucky Welding Institute will host an open shop event on Friday evening, providing an opportunity to tour the facilities, meet instructors and staff, and connect with graduates of the program in a relaxed, informal setting.

KWI is proud to offer significant awards and incentives:

Every senior welding contest competitor receives a $1,000 scholarship
First place earns a $14,000 scholarship AND their choice of a Miller Bobcat or Lincoln Ranger
Additional prizes awarded throughout the event such as Spin-the-Wheel games, cooler giveaways, and ax throwing

Professional Development Opportunity Through AMTEC:

The AMTEC Institute for Industry 4.0 Innovation (AI3) is funded by a National Science Foundation grant (DUE ATE 2350012) and is providing Train-the-Trainer sessions that focus on Industry 4.0 concepts and incorporating them into the classroom. A program agenda can be found on the website and more information is provided in the flyer below the signature line. There is no cost for registration. They are able to provide travel assistance and stipends to instructors who meet program requirements. AMTEC has four sessions scheduled for 2026 (you only need to choose one): March 17-18, May 19-20, June 16-17, and October 6-7. After attending the training, instructors will also gain access to virtual, monthly community-of-practice sessions that will provide continued resources and feature industry partners, educational peers, and best practice tips.

To learn more, join AMTEC for a virtual information session scheduled for January 22nd at 3pm (CT) (click link to join). Contact Cadie Underwood via email at [email protected] or by phone at 270-686-4410 with questions or for more information.

Complete 2025-2026 Calendar

Updates from the National Office

SkillsUSA Week is Coming: Are You Ready?

It’s time to get energized for SkillsUSA Week, February 2–6! This is an exciting opportunity for your chapter to plan activities that raise awareness of SkillsUSA, increase member engagement, and recognize the educators and industry partners who support student success. SkillsUSA Week is a time for members to strengthen their skills and showcase how SkillsUSA plays an important role in personal and professional growth.

To get started, explore the SkillsUSA Week resources. You’ll find ready-to-use artwork, a printable daily themes flyer, sample activities, a draft news release, a school morning announcement script, and more to help make planning easy and impactful.

Chapters can also request a virtual visit from SkillsUSA national officers during SkillsUSA Week. On February 3, national officers are available to join students for 30-minute sessions, providing greetings and taking your group through a fun lesson. Be sure to complete the virtual visit request form by January 30. Space is limited, and visits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don’t Miss SkillsUSA Pathful Sessions!

Mark your calendars! We’re hosting two live sessions to ensure you’re getting the most out of your SkillsUSA Pathful access:

SkillsUSA Pathful (Focus: Resume Builder and Pathful 101)

Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET (60 minutes)

Registration Instructions are here.

Join us for an introduction to SkillsUSA Pathful, your all-in-one platform for career exploration and workforce readiness. In this quick-start session, you’ll learn how to navigate the platform, access live and on-demand career resources, connect with industry professionals, and integrate career exploration into your curriculum. We’ll also unpack the Resume Builder tool, showcasing how students can build, export, and share resumes—and how advisors can access reporting features to support student success.

SkillsUSA National Signing Day is May 6, 2026 — or your chapter can choose its own date!

Celebrate students committing to their skilled career pathways. Host your Signing Day on the national date or whenever works best locally. Early-bird registration runs March 1–31. The first 20 chapters to register 10 students will receive a National Signing Day incentive, and the first 3,000 registrations completed by the early-bird deadline will receive the official NSD hat. Registration closes May 1. Explore resources at signingday.skillsusa.org.

Honorary Life and Outstanding Career and Technical Educator Nominations Open

If you would like to nominate someone for recognition by SkillsUSA as an Honorary Life or Outstanding Educator, please complete the online applications. Be sure to notify those you nominate and provide all of the information that is requested. Learn more about these awards and eligibility by visiting the Awards Programs page on the SkillsUSA website. The deadline is March 1. For questions, contact Chris Anderson.

SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Scholarships Are Open!

Many students are thinking ahead to the cost of college and SkillsUSA offers exclusive scholarship opportunities for members pursuing postsecondary education. Registered SkillsUSA members with upcoming tuition expenses for the fall 2026 academic term can apply for scholarships provided by SkillsUSA and our industry partners.

Scholarships now open include:

· Clifford “Ted” Rees Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)

· Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)

· Larry Rash Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)

· Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship ($1,500, closes April 17)

· NAPA/SkillsUSA Transportation Repair Pathway Scholarship ($2,500, closes June 30)

· National Technical Honor Society Scholarship ($1,000, closes April 17)

· Sharon Melton Myers Memorial ($1,000, closes April 17)

SkillsUSA partners with Kaleidoscope to provide a streamlined application platform. Students are encouraged to explore the SkillsUSA Scholarships webpage now to view available opportunities and more will be posted soon. For scholarship questions or assistance in applying, reach out to Customer Care.

Take Up the Challenge! National Conference Pin and T-shirt Design

SkillsUSA is offering the 2026 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) Pin and T-shirt Design Challenge to all dues-paying student members. The winning designs will become the official T-shirt and pin design for the 2026 NLSC. The challenge is open now, entries must be received by February 1 at midnight ET, and winners will be announced on February 7. Download the rules below:

· NLSC T-shirt Design

· NLSC Pin Design

SME Foundation Scholarships

The SME Education Foundation awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in technical fields that directly support manufacturing. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2026. If you have already registered on the site, use your email and password to login. If you have not registered, please complete SME's registration form to set up an account and begin your application. With more than 60 scholarship programs, the SME Foundation provides both merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students including women and under-represented communities. The Foundation awards nearly $1 million dollars in scholarships each year and has awarded $18 million dollars to over 5,000 future industry leaders since 2005. By submitting one application, you will be considered for all SME Foundation scholarships for which you are eligible.

From a SkillsUSA Podium to a PBS Docuseries, Chef Curates His Culinary Career

From the competition floors of Kansas City to the hallowed halls of the Culinary Institute of America, Chris Rogienski has spent his career chasing culinary excellence. Today, the Michelin-recognized chef is making a name for himself in Charlotte, N.C., proving that the right combination of tenacity and technical skill can turn a high school passion into a "little bit of celebrity." Read the full story on the SkillsUSA Champions digital hub.

New Scholarship Opportunity for SkillsUSA Members
SkillsUSA is proud to partner with the SkillPointe Foundation to expand scholarship access for students pursuing careers in Construction, Energy, Manufacturing, Transportation, Healthcare, Automotive and more.

The SkillPointe Foundation has committed $250,000 exclusively for SkillsUSA members, giving them top consideration across dozens of high-demand career scholarships. Visit the SkillPointe Foundation's website or scan the QR code below to explore current opportunities and apply.

Share Your Community Service Stories with SkillsUSA!

The SkillsUSA Champions digital hub provides new content frequently, from inspiring features to stories about the great work chapters and partners are doing. We know your chapters are doing some amazing community service work this holiday season and we would love to write about it. To submit a story idea, send us the details through our “Submit a Story” link, and we’ll contact you.

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