In this update:
New Professional Development Experience
In partnership with the Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education, SkillsUSA Illinois will offer a new Professional Development track for advisors and instructors at this year’s IACTE Annual Conference. The conference will be held February 16-17, 2023, at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
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. Session topics include:
SkillsUSA Overview
Work-based Learning Programs (Pre-Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships)
Program of Work and Chapter Management
SkillsUSA Championships (Career Competitions)
Advisor Panels and Round Table Discussions
Career Essentials (Employability Skills Curriculum)
Integrating the SkillsUSA Framework
Benefits of Professional Membership
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.
SLSC 2023 Meal Updates (response requested by Friday, December 3, 2022)
SkillsUSA Illinois continues to review feedback to improve member experience at the State Leadership & Skills Conference. Based on results from last year’s post-conference surveys, we are happy to share two updates about meals for this year. Please review the two updates and complete the short survey below to allow our team to be able to plan.
Update #1 – Friday Lunch: Now Provided
Lunch will now be provided on Friday as part of conference registration for participants. Lunch tickets will be provided for all registered during the registration check-in process. These tickets will allow participants to pick up a boxed lunch at designated locations and times on Friday. Only those registered will be able to receive a lunch.
Update #2 – Thursday Dinner: Optional Add-On
SkillsUSA Illinois will offer a Thursday dinner at one of the conference hotels. The meal will be an informal buffet offering where the chapter can go through the line and enjoy the meal together in the banquet space before the Opening Session. Those who register for a Thursday dinner will receive this meal ticket during the registration check-in process. This dinner will be an optional add-on to registration. During the SLSC registration process, schools will commit to this option for their entire chapter, and the add-on fee will be included on the conference invoice. Please complete this short survey to help us gauge interest and feedback on the price point you believe your chapter would be comfortable with. We ask that this is completed by Friday, December 2, 2022.
With these updates, it will be even more important that any dietary restrictions are provided during the registration process. Please ensure this information is collected and entered in SkillsUSA Register when submitting registration.
Regional Advisors Meeting
The next Region 7 Advisors Meeting will be held on December 16, 2022, at the Aurelio’s Pizza Frankfort (9901 W Lincoln Hwy, Frankfort, IL 60423). Lunch will be at 11 a.m. with the meeting to follow beginning at noon. This meeting will discuss chapter engagement activities, State Qualifying Events, as well as hot topics in CTE. As always, there will be an open forum to discuss any SkillsUSA topics as a group with SkillsUSA Illinois staff. All are welcome.
The SkillsUSA Region Map can be found on the About Us page of our website. If you are interested in starting regional advisor meetings in your region, reach out to Christopher Anderson at canderson@skillsusaillinois.org.
SQE and SLSC Registration Fees Released
SkillsUSA Illinois has published the 2023 registration and hotel fees for State Qualifying Events and the State Leadership & Skills Conference. Please visit their individual event pages on the website to learn more.
Technical Standards 2023 – Now Available
The 2023 edition of the SkillsUSA Technical Standards are now available. Developed by industry, these set the technical standard of needed skills for an individual to be career ready in their given training area. These standards will serve as the official rules of the career competitions of the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships. At the state level, career competitions may vary in scope based on time and resources available. Any regional or state updates/changes will be released in early 2023.
As a membership benefit, SkillsUSA professional members receive the current SkillsUSA Technical Standards when they have submitted a current and accurate email address with their membership details. Learn more in this advisor update.
Earn Recognition for Service Through Presidential Honors
At the next National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), SkillsUSA will once again recognize advisors, students, and registered alumni for their community service and volunteer activities through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members, advisors, or alumni must submit a record of their service hours. With SkillsUSA’s focus on community service, advisors and students may already meet the requirements. For details and how to apply, visit the website. Applications must be received by April 1, 2023, for recognition at the 2023 NLSC.
