The Experiences That
Shape Student Success

The SkillsUSA Program of Work gives chapters a clear structure for planning meaningful activities throughout the year. Its six categories help members turn ideas into action through leadership, service, career exploration, financial planning, outreach, and workplace experiences. By creating a balanced Program of Work, chapters can build stronger engagement, expand opportunities, and make a lasting impact within their school and community.

OUR PROGRAM OF WORK

Our Priorities in Action

Empower Students
Build confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of purpose.
Prepare for Careers
Provide real-world experiences that connect learning to work.
Strengthen Communities
Make a positive impact through service and partnership.
Inspire Excellence
Promote high standards, achievement, and integrity.
01
Advocacy and Marketing
Advocacy & Marketing
Promote SkillsUSA, strengthen awareness, and help members become confident advocates for their programs and ideas.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
02
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Identify community needs and put student skills into action through meaningful service and long-lasting partnerships.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
03
Financial Management
Financial Management
Build financial literacy, entrepreneurship, budgeting, and resource-management skills through practical chapter experiences.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
04
Leadership Development
Leadership Development
Develop relationships, strengthen individual and team leadership, and prepare members to inspire and empower others.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
05
Partner and Alumni Engagement
Partner & Alumni Engagement
Connect chapters with alumni, families, educators, industry partners, and others who can strengthen member experiences.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
06
Workplace Experiences
Workplace Experiences
Connect members with career exploration, work-based learning, industry experiences, and opportunities to demonstrate their skills.
EXPLORE CATEGORY →
PROGRAM OF WORK
Advocacy & 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.
  • Presentations to the local school board.
  • Recruitment activities.
  • Social media promoting SkillsUSA activities.
PROGRAM OF WORK
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:
  • Teacher Appreciation Breakfasts.
  • Oil changes for military families.
  • Accessibility ramp projects.
  • Services for senior-center residents.
PROGRAM OF WORK
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:
  • Entrepreneurial fairs.
  • Financial-management guest speakers.
  • Chapter fundraisers.
  • Creating personal budgets.
PROGRAM OF WORK
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:
  • Leadership workshops.
  • Fall Leadership Conference.
  • Chapter officer retreats.
PROGRAM OF WORK
Partner & 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:
  • Program Advisory Committee meetings.
  • Partners serving as mentors.
  • Partner and alumni recognition.
  • Sharing business expertise with the chapter.
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:
  • Local competitions.
  • Industry tours.
  • Resume and mock interview days.
  • Employer panel discussions.
STATE PROGRAM OF WORK
See the Model in Action.
See how SkillsUSA Massachusetts applies the six Program of Work categories through statewide priorities, programs, partnerships and member experiences.
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Advocacy & Marketing
OUR GOAL
To promote SkillsUSA and advocate for our organization and CTE.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
Non-Traditional Student of the Quarter
Establish a chapter nomination process to recognize non-traditional students throughout the year.
02
SkillsUSA Podcast Series
Help SkillsUSA launch a podcast series focused on leadership and student opportunities.
03
Middle School Outreach
Work with one chapter serving middle school students to promote SkillsUSA and invite students to SmartStart.
04
Statewide Social Media Plan
  • Instagram Live at conferences.
  • Instagram conference countdowns.
  • “Motivation Monday” quotes and inspiration.
  • “Welcome Wednesdays” officer and volunteer spotlights.
  • Conference welcome videos in a variety of languages.
  • Promotion of the new SkillsUSA Massachusetts website.
  • District assets promoting District Opening Ceremonies.
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Community Engagement
OUR GOAL
To give back to the local and state communities that have assisted in growing our organization.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
Adam Schoolcraft Memorial Scholarship
Continue and enhance SkillsUSA Massachusetts’ partnership with the Adam Schoolcraft Memorial Scholarship.
02
Holiday Party
Continue the Holiday Party tradition in partnership with one of our chapter schools or a local organization.
03
Haulin’ For Hunger
Partner with Haulin’ For Hunger at the Fall State Leadership Conference and the State Conference.
04
FSLC Service Project
Collaborate with the Boys and Girls Clubs and Team Bonding to build bicycles for children.
05
SkillsUSA Week
Promote and participate in SkillsUSA Week activities throughout the week.
06
Commonwealth Volunteer Service Award
Promote the Commonwealth Volunteer Service Award to chapters.
  • State Officer Team members will complete, at minimum, the Silver standard for CVSA through service initiatives.
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Financial Management
OUR GOAL
To raise funds for our partnerships, important causes and learn positive money management skills.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
Fundraising Goals
  • Raise $1,000 to give to SkillsUSA.
  • Raise $1,000 for the Adam Schoolcraft Memorial Scholarship.
  • Raise $300 each for the Holiday Party.
02
Change for Children
Continue Change for Children at Advisor’s Boot Camp.
03
Trade-Related Baskets
Continue trade-related baskets at Advisor’s Boot Camp.
04
Conference Fundraisers
Continue 50/50 and raffle fundraisers at conferences.
05
District Mini-Grants
Continue to promote and distribute District “mini-grants” to two schools per district.
06
State Officer Training
Provide state officers with training on fundraising strategies.
07
SAiL Money Management Workshop
Continue the money management workshop at SAiL.
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Leadership Development
OUR GOAL
To assist members in the transition to the workforce through professional development activities and the building of their personal confidence.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
Fall State Leadership Conference
Sponsor a Fall State Leadership Conference for chapter leaders.
  • Business panel with former state officers at FSLC.
02
SAiL Conference
Sponsor a SAiL (Senior Adventures in Leadership) Conference for seniors and program completers.
03
SmartStart Conference
Sponsor the SmartStart conference for freshman members.
  • Implement a middle school booth to introduce members to the middle school benefits of SkillsUSA.
04
SkillsUSA Massachusetts Leader Award
Offer members the opportunity to earn the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Leader Award.
05
Chapter Welcome Resources
Create welcome materials and/or tutorials for advisors and student leaders to bring back to their chapters.
06
Career Essentials Support
Provide support for chapters with implementation of Career Essentials curriculum.
  • All State Officers will complete both the Advanced curriculum and earn the Career Essentials credential.
  • Officers who have completed Career Essentials will complete supplementary materials via SkillsUSA’s Pathful.
07
FSLC Chapter Workshop
Host a workshop at FSLC to assist chapter officers with leveling up their chapters and increasing engagement of their members.
  • Casual → Committed
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Partner & Alumni Engagement
OUR GOAL
Reward and connect members to alumni, business partners and potential employment opportunities.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
Alumni & Partner Recognition
Recognize alumni and partners at conferences, including opportunities to recognize and thank Alumni Association members.
02
SmartStart Keynote
Feature a recent graduate as a SmartStart keynote speaker.
03
Partner & Board Member Visits
Recognize contributions of partners and board members by visiting their organizations, including a visit to Bain Capital with Board Member Jacob Donnelly.
04
SLSC Carnival Partnerships
Partner with local food trucks for the State Leadership & Skills Conference carnival.
05
WLTI Recap
Present a WLTI recap at the MAVA Fall Conference if invited to attend.
06
Partner Meetings
Contribute to two partner meetings.
07
State Officer Panel
Host a State Officer Panel at FSLC to inspire future leaders.
08
B-FIT B-SKILLED
Promote the establishment of the B-FIT B-SKILLED program in partnership with the Boston Bruins and Massachusetts Army National Guard.
MASSACHUSETTS IN ACTION
Workplace Experiences
OUR GOAL
Championing the path towards a successful career.
OUR STATE ACTION PLAN
01
District Qualifying Events
Conduct six District Qualifying Events.
02
State Leadership & Skills Conference
Conduct the State Leadership & Skills Conference.
03
Region 1 Leader Summit
Attend Region 1 Leader Summit.
04
Translation & Translator Services
Ensure translation and translator services are available to members at all conferences as needed.
05
Advisor Leader Award Recognition
Provide proactive advisor awards for advisors who earn a Leader Award.
06
Leader Award Recognition at FSLC
Continue Most Improved and Top Scorer recognition for Leader Awards at FSLC.
07
Competition & Leader Award Resources
Continue to update resources to assist students with preparing for competitions and the Leader Award.
08
Workforce Development Partner Expo
Host a partner expo focused on Workforce Development.