Build a Chapter That Stands Out.
The Chapter Excellence Program helps SkillsUSA chapters turn the Framework and Program of Work into meaningful action throughout the year. By planning, implementing, and evaluating chapter activities, students strengthen leadership and employability skills, measure their progress, showcase their accomplishments, and work toward greater recognition for the impact their chapter makes within their school and community.
CHAPTER EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
The Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) is the single best way to ensure you have a successful SkillsUSA chapter.
The CEP honors chapter achievement relative to SkillsUSA’s framework of developing personal, workplace, and technical skills. The framework actualizes SkillsUSA’s mission, “to empower members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.” It also serves as the blueprint for career readiness — our ultimate goal as an organization. By centering on industry demands, the framework builds the foundation for relevant and intentional student learning and employability skill development.
Paramount to framework success is the implementation of an effective program of work, SkillsUSA’s planning tool for chapters. By participating in a program of work activities, SkillsUSA chapters become conduits for meaningful student growth. Students take part in the planning, organization and implementation of activities, which develops their skills and builds character. The CEP recognizes these efforts by offering every chapter an opportunity to attain measurable competencies in pursuit of framework objectives.
The Chapter Excellence Program takes the guesswork out of what it looks like to be a healthy SkillsUSA chapter. It provides the requirements and indicators that meet the standards for success and prepares members for career readiness as defined in the SkillsUSA Framework.
01 GET STARTED How Does My Chapter Get Involved? Eligibility, participation and the annual CEP application. +
Every chapter or section with paid membership is eligible to participate in the Chapter Excellence Program. There is no fee or cost associated with participation, and chapters are encouraged to participate in CEP annually.
Most chapters already have an active Program of Work. CEP provides an opportunity to document that work, demonstrate what students are learning, and receive recognition for chapter achievement.
The CEP application outlines how chapter success is measured and the evidence chapters should provide as part of their submission.
02 RECOGNITION How Does the CEP Work? Explore the three levels of chapter recognition. +
CEP establishes a quality baseline that chapters are encouraged to attain, with additional recognition for exemplary chapter performance. The program consists of three award levels, with the first two recognized by the state and the final level eligible for national recognition.
Honors chapters for achieving the essential standards of excellence established through the Chapter Excellence Program.
Recognizes chapters that go beyond baseline requirements through bronze, silver and gold Chapters of Distinction awards. This recognition is presented by the state association at a state-level event such as the State Leadership & Skills Conference.
Chapters earning gold recognition are invited to the National Leadership & Skills Conference and recognized alongside the program sponsor at a reception. Up to the top 10 percent of gold chapters in each state may be eligible for selection as a Models of Excellence chapter.
Honors the very best chapters at the national level. Models of Excellence chapters demonstrate outstanding chapter practices, with their successful approaches shared as examples for other chapters working to strengthen their local programs.
03 SKILLSUSA FRAMEWORK What Does CEP Measure? Focus on learning, skills and meaningful chapter experiences. +
CEP focuses on the learning and skills developed through chapter involvement, rather than recognizing chapters simply by the number of activities they complete throughout the year.
The award application is designed to help chapters provide evidence of student learning, chapter growth, and the ways chapter activities support the SkillsUSA Framework and Program of Work.
Chapters should use the SkillsUSA Framework as a guide when planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting activities throughout the year.
