SkillsUSA Council

Last week’s SkillsUSA Council Professional Development Conference was an incredible reminder of why we do this work. As we head into Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for our student members, partner schools, and industry partners who make our mission possible. Our student members continue to inspire us with their passion, leadership, and drive to grow. Our partner schools show unwavering commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals. And our industry partners bring reality, relevance, and opportunity to every experience we create together. Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and belief in the power of SkillsUSA. Together, we’re building pathways, opening doors, and shaping futures—and there’s no better time than this season of gratitude to recognize the impact we make as a united community. Wishing everyone a warm, safe, and meaningful Thanksgiving. 🦃🍁 #SkillsUSA #CareerReadiness #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureLeaders #PDC #ProfessionalDevelopment

A HUGE THANK YOU to our incredible Officer & Ambassador Training guest speakers Christopher Wolfel, Executive Director of Colonial IU 20, and Lauren Fosbenner, Project Specialist at the Nurture Nature Center. Your insight and passion for developing student leaders made a powerful impact on our Officers and Ambassadors. From leadership growth to community engagement, your messages will inspire our students to think bigger, lead boldly, and embrace the responsibility of serving others. We are grateful for your time, expertise, and commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. #SkillsUSACouncil #StudentLeaders #CareerReady #LeadershipDevelopment #ThankYou

We’re thrilled to announce that Ben Hartranft from Benergy1 Presentations will be our Keynote Speaker at SkillsUSA Council's Professional Development Conference (PDC), on Wednesday November 20th at Camelback Resort! Ben's message, “One Kind Person Can Change the World” shares his powerful and inspiring journey through the maze of autism — a story defined by resilience, determination, and the impact that caring professionals can make. From navigating his early diagnosis and accessing vital services to overcoming academic and social challenges, Ben’s path has shaped him into a passionate advocate for autism awareness and action. His heartfelt message also honors the incredible educators, specialists, and mentors who walked alongside him and helped change the course of his life. We can’t wait for our students to experience his message firsthand at this year’s PDC!

As we celebrate our 40th year, we pause to honor the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Luke Cunningham — a true leader, mentor, visionary and a champion for students. His dedication helped shape SkillsUSA Council into the strong, impactful organization it is today. Luke's passion for empowering young people and strengthening community continues to guide us. We will continue to honor Luke's legacy with gratitude and commitment to the work he inspired. Here's to 40 years of impact, growth, and purpose. And here's to continuing the work he believed in so deeply. #SkillsUSA #SkillsUSACouncil #40YearsStrong #Leadership #Legacy #CareerAndTechnicalEducation

As we continue to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we proudly honor the legacy and vision of Elmer Gates, whose leadership and belief in the power of technical education helped shape the foundation of SkillsUSA Council. Elmer’s commitment to connecting education with industry continues to inspire our mission today — empowering students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to lead successful careers. #SkillsUSACouncil #SkillsUSA #TechnicalEducation #CareerReady #Leadership #ElmerGates #40YearsStrong #LegacyOfLeadership

Yesterday was an inspiring morning at our SkillsUSA Council Annual Meeting and Leadership By Example Breakfast! ☀️ We gathered to celebrate an incredible year of student success, strong partnerships, and community support that continues to shape the future of our workforce. A special highlight of the morning was celebrating Anne Baum, who received our Leadership By Example Award — a well-deserved honor recognizing her unwavering leadership, generosity, and lasting impact throughout the Lehigh Valley. We were also proud to recognize Amy Schock as our Volunteer of the Year and to present Brian Moser with The Luke Cunningham Torch of Knowledge Award for his outstanding dedication and commitment. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the work we’ve done together — and the even greater things ahead! #SkillsUSA #SkillsUSACouncil #LeaderByExample #WorkforceDevelopment #CTE #LehighValley #Community #Leadership #Inspiration #CareerEducation

Over the past week, we had the privilege of visiting our local Career & Technical Education schools to celebrate SkillsUSA Council Day sponsored by Mack Trucks. We experienced first hand the incredible talent, passion, and skills of the next generation of our workforce. From welding labs to health science programs, IT to culinary arts, we saw students demonstrating the leadership, teamwork, and professionalism that define SkillsUSA Champions at Work. A huge thank you to all of our partner schools, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Career Institute of Technology, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Monroe Career & Technical Institute, and Upper Bucks County Technical School for allowing us to share SkillsUSA opportunities with the next wave of talent. The future is bright—and it’s being built in our CTE classrooms every day!

We are so grateful to all of our sponsors and participants who made the 9th Annual Elmer Gates Memorial Clay Shoot a success! 🎯 Your support directly impacts SkillsUSA Council student programs, helping us continue to build the future workforce through leadership development, technical training, and career readiness. A special thank you to our incredible sponsors – we couldn’t do this without you! 🙌 Together, we’re making a difference for students, educators, and the industries that depend on skilled talent.

Great energy and collaboration during the SkillsUSA Council Executive Committee brainstorming session! 🚀 It’s inspiring to be part of a group that is so focused on creating opportunities for students and strengthening our future workforce. Excited to see these ideas come to life! 👏 #SkillsUSA #Collaboration #FutureReady

We are revved up by the incredible support from Star Buick GMC Cadillac for SkillsUSA Council ! Their investment in our student members drives real opportunity, confidence, and career readiness. Partnerships like this truly move our mission forward. Thank you again for believing in the power of skilled trades and leadership development! #ThankYou # SkillsUSA #StarGMCCadillac #Gratitude #CareerReady #TechEd #WorkforceFuture #CommunitySupport