In this update:
Introducing AMPLIFY!
Mar. 5-6 (Crowne Plaza – Springfield, IL) | Registration deadline: Feb. 7
AMPLIFY provides SkillsUSA Illinois members an opportunity to grow in their professionalism, communication, and leadership skills, which they apply during their advocacy visits to their locally elected state officials and other state agencies. Chapter delegations will talk to elected officials/their staff members and representatives of state board of education commerce and economic opportunity agencies about their education paths and career and technical education training programs, the value of career and technical education, and the benefits of their SkillsUSA participation.
The conference will focus on advanced communications skills including development of a SkillsUSA Framework story to share during their visits with elected officials. The conference will include training for students and advisors on personal and workplace skills, advocacy training lead by a professional training team, and panels with legislative staff members on conveying a message with impact. Participants will walk away with a well-created CTE and SkillsUSA Framework story, the ability to deliver it to legislatures, and an experience like no other.
More information and the registration guide can be found at www.SkillsUSAIllinois.org/AMPLIFY.
Member Engagement Student Summit Working Group
This year, to better represent their fellow students across Illinois, the State Officer Team will be hosting a member engagement student summit in early March. This will be an opportunity for highly engaged members of SkillsUSA to come together with the State Officer team to discuss their chapters’ unique programming, share best practices, and give feedback on resources and programs SkillsUSA Illinois can provide to support those chapters. This is a unique opportunity for students to help guide the organization’s future.
Chapter advisors are asked to submit one member to participate in this group. This could be a member of a chapter’s officer team, a leader in the chapter, or simply a highly involved student whom advisors believe would make the most of this opportunity. At this time, we are seeking only one representative from each chapter for the summit, but we hope this might lead to more opportunities down the line. Advisors should distribute the survey linked below to the chapter’s selected represented and have them complete this by Wednesday, January 31, to give our state officer team ample time to prepare. Members will each receive a $10 Starbucks gift card for participating.
Survey Link: https://bit.ly/engagement-survey-24
On behalf of the State Officer team, thank you for your constant support of SkillsUSA, and for helping to further the next generation of skilled workers. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Brendan Creamer at bcreamer@skillsusaillinois.org.
Membership Deadline Approaching
Membership Deadline: Feb. 16, 2024
The SkillsUSA Illinois membership deadline is approaching! All students who wish to patriciate in the SkillsUSA Championships Career Competitions, serve as a voting delegate, or run for state or national office must be joined as members by Friday, Feb. 16. Membership must be submitted by the participant’s first SkillsUSA event registration date or Feb. 16, whichever occurs first. All membership must be submitted in SkillsUSA Register (register.skillsusa.org).
For assistance with registering members, contact the SkillsUSA Customer Care Team at 844-875-4557 or customercare@skillsusa.org.
Past State Officer Check-In
As SkillsUSA Illinois moves towards it’s 60th anniversary, we would like to check in with our past state officers. Past state officers are asked to check in using the short survey at www.SkillsUSAIllinois.org/check-in.
If you or someone you know served as a SkillsUSA Illinois state officer, please share this information and ask them to complete this short survey.
Members Needed for CTE Month
Deadline to Submit: Jan. 19
SkillsUSA Illinois currently seeking members to highlight during CTE month this February. Please consider having a member or two from your school complete the survey below which will also ask them to upload a headshot or action shot photo of themselves in their CTE training program. CTE Month Spotlight Survey: https://bit.ly/skillsusail-cte-month24
For questions, please reach out to Alex Swanson at aswanson@skillsusaillinois.org.
Advisor Professional Development at IACTE 2024
Feb. 15-16 (Springfield, IL) | Registration Deadline: Feb. 1
Last chance to register for our new professional development track at this year’s IACTE annual conference. Regular registration closes on February 1, 2024. Register by this date to avoid late registration fees. The conference will be held February 15-16, 2024, at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield. Connect with advisors and CTE instructors across the state, learn about opportunities and initiatives around leading a chapter, and share best and high-quality practices.
To participate in this professional development experience, individuals must be fully registered through IACTE for the IACTE Annual Conference. Professional membership to IACTE is encouraged. During the registration process, please check the “SkillsUSA Track” option either online or on the paper form. While at the conference, SkillsUSA Track participants will have access to general sessions and exhibitors as well as be able to attend other breakout sessions as they wish.
Learn more and find registration information at www.skillsusaillinois.org/iacte.
The Championships 2024: Qualifying Events
Feb. 15-22 (Local Delivery) | Registration Deadline: Feb. 2
Every winter, hundreds of SkillsUSA Illinois members participate in the annual Qualifying Events (QE). These are regional career competitions and serve as the gateway to compete in SkillsUSA Illinois Championships. Chapters are encouraged to host local career competitions before advancing members to the State Qualifying Events process.
Registration is now open, and more information can be found at www.skillsusaillinois.org/qe.
Save The Date – L.E.A.D. 2024
L.E.A.D. 2024 will be held Oct. 17-19, 2024, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Peoria, IL.
L.E.A.D. is a two-day employability skill development conference that helps members activate their career and leadership potential through hands-on, high-energy, and motivational programming. Learn more at www.SkillsUSAIllinois.org/lead.
