Mission, Vision,
& Values

The principles that guide our purpose, shape our actions, and inspire our members to build a better future.

OUR FOUNDATION

Overview

Representing students and educators across the Commonwealth, SkillsUSA Massachusetts supports active chapters in middle schools, high schools, and college/postsecondary institutions. Through hands-on learning, leadership development, and career preparation, members build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in school, the workplace, and beyond.

At the center of this work is the SkillsUSA Framework, which develops Personal Skills, Workplace Skills, and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics. Integrated into classroom and chapter experiences, the Framework helps connect technical education with the leadership, professionalism, and career-readiness skills students need for future success.

OUR PURPOSE
Mission
SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. develops personal, workplace, and technical skills through education, service, and career experiences for its members.
OUR FUTURE
Vision
At SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc., our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. is committed to empowering success for any student, any skill, any career.
WHAT GUIDES US
Values
SkillsUSA Massachusetts’ mission is built upon—and its success depends on—the commitment of our members and partners to the following values:
Integrity
Respect
Community
Service
OUR COMMITMENT
Brand Promise
SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. makes every member and partner feel like a Champion. Through exceptional service, our members, partners, and stakeholders feel Significant, Valued, and Included. Involvement in SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. is built upon a commitment to diversity, focused on professionalism, achievement, and hope for the future.

Our Framework

The SkillsUSA Framework, which impacts the lives of America’s future workforce through the development of personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics, reveals how career and technical education programs and SkillsUSA are relevant in today’s economy

Pillars of the SkillsUSA Framework are organized into three essential components

VIEW OUR FRAMEWORK
Personal Skills
Build the confidence, integrity, and work ethic needed to thrive in school, career, and life.
Workplace Skills
Develop the professionalism, communication, and teamwork employers value most.
Technical Skills
Grounded in Academics
Apply technical knowledge and academic skills to solve problems and drive innovation.
SKILLSUSA FRAMEWORK
Personal Skills
Personal Skills develop the individual qualities and behaviors students need to succeed in education, the workplace, and life.
Essential Elements
Integrity
Work Ethic
Professionalism
Responsibility
Adaptability/Flexibility
Self-Motivation
SKILLSUSA FRAMEWORK
Workplace Skills
Workplace Skills develop the communication, leadership, teamwork, and management abilities students need to succeed in professional environments.
Essential Elements
Communication
Decision Making
Teamwork
Multicultural Sensitivity and Awareness
Planning, Organizing and Management
Leadership
SKILLSUSA FRAMEWORK
Technical Skills
Grounded in Academics
Technical Skills Grounded in Academics connect classroom learning with the technical knowledge, safety practices, and career-specific abilities students need in their chosen fields.
Essential Elements
Computer and Technology Literacy
Job-Specific Skills
Safety and Health
Service Orientation
Professional Development

Our Program of Work

SkillsUSA’s Program of Work (PoW) is the road map for planning and implementing an annual calendar of chapter activities. When a SkillsUSA chapter aligns its yearly activities with the PoW, students receive rich experiences that empower them to become career-ready.

The PoW features six categories that define areas of focus for a well-run chapter in the same way a well-run business may be divided into different divisions. Each division has specific responsibilities, but all contribute to the overall success of the business. Likewise, SkillsUSA chapters are encouraged to create separate committees for each of the six categories and then facilitate category-specific activities for the whole chapter. When a chapter provides rich experiences in all six categories of the PoW, it empowers students to become career-ready. It also allows students the opportunity to practice and perform the Essential Elements of the SkillsUSA Framework and receive feedback to strengthen their skills.

VIEW OUR POW
Advocacy and Marketing
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Community Engagement
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Financial Management
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Leadership Development
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Partner and Alumni Engagement
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Workplace Experiences
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Advocacy and Marketing
This category promotes SkillsUSA chapter programs, career and technical education programs, public relations initiatives and experiences to help students build social responsibility.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Identify characteristics of effective marketing.
  • Promote SkillsUSA.
  • Advocate for themselves and their ideas.
Activities may include:
  • Participation in SkillsUSA Week.
  • Delivering a presentation to the local school board.
  • Conducting a recruitment activity.
  • Creating social media posts related to SkillsUSA activities.
Community Engagement
In this category, students assess community needs, identify services and employ skills to meet needs that develop long-lasting partnerships.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Assess and analyze needs.
  • Create a heart of service.
  • Apply technical skills for the benefit of others.
Activities may include:
  • Culinary students holding a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.
  • Automotive students performing oil changes for military families.
  • Construction students building an accessibility ramp.
  • Cosmetology students providing services for residents at a senior center.
Financial Management
This category helps students develop personal financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills through relevant work experience, project management and chapter fundraising.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Work efficiently and effectively within a budget.
  • Manage personal finances effectively.
  • Manage resources efficiently.
Activities may include:
  • Hosting an entrepreneurial fair.
  • Engaging a financial management guest speaker.
  • Holding a chapter fundraiser.
  • Engaging students in the creation of personal budgets.
Leadership Development
Students establish interpersonal relationships along with individual and team development through chapter operations, leadership competitions and individualized growth plans.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Communicate vision.
  • Inspire others to reach a common goal.
  • Equip and empower team members.
  • Develop interpersonal skills.
Activities may include:
  • Conducting a leadership workshop for all members.
  • Attending a Fall Leadership Conference.
  • Holding a chapter officer retreat.
Partner and Alumni Engagement
This category encourages students to engage former members, parents, advisory committees, administrators, faculty and partners in SkillsUSA chapter and classroom activities.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Appreciate the contributions of others.
  • Build a personal and professional network.
  • Recognize and value the expertise of others.
Activities may include:
  • Conducting Program Advisory Committee meetings.
  • Engaging partners to serve as mentors.
  • Recognizing contributions of partners and alumni.
  • Providing business acumen and expertise to the chapter’s program of work.
Workplace Experiences
This category encourages participation in career exploration, planning and work-based learning opportunities, including the SkillsUSA Championships.
Career-ready students are able to:
  • Gain relevant work experience.
  • Develop job-seeking skills.
  • Understand workplace expectations.
Activities may include:
  • Conducting local competitions.
  • Touring a local industry.
  • Holding a resume and mock interview day.
  • Holding virtual or in-person employer panel discussions.