Take Your Skills to the National Stage.

The National Leadership & Skills Conference brings together SkillsUSA members from across the country for a week of competition, leadership, career exploration, and connection. Massachusetts students compete in the SkillsUSA Championships, serve as voting delegates, participate in leadership experiences, connect with industry partners, and represent the Commonwealth on a national stage. NLSC celebrates excellence, achievement, and the skills students have built throughout their SkillsUSA journey.

NLSC

National Leadership & Skills Conference

What: National Competition, Leadership & Career Development Conference
When: June 21 – June 26, 2027
Cost: $ 250.00 per person
Key Registration Info: Registration opens May 3, 2027; registration closes May 13, 2027.

The National Leadership & Skills Conference is SkillsUSA’s premier annual event, bringing together students, advisors, industry partners, and state associations from across the country for a week of competition, leadership, career exploration, and recognition. Massachusetts members can compete in the SkillsUSA Championships, serve as voting delegates, participate in leadership experiences, and represent the Commonwealth on a national stage.

At the heart of NLSC is the SkillsUSA Championships, the national-level competition for public high school and college/postsecondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs. Every contestant advances as a state-level gold medalist, competing in hands-on skill and leadership contests that reflect the demands of today’s workforce. Since beginning in 1967 with just 54 competitors in three contests, the Championships has grown to more than 5,600 competitors across 94 contests, representing career pathways in more than 130 occupational areas.

The event is also one of the largest demonstrations of industry volunteerism in the country, with business and industry professionals contributing their time, expertise, equipment, and resources to support the competition. Beyond the Championships, NLSC gives students opportunities to connect with industry, explore careers, participate in national sessions and leadership activities, and celebrate the skills, professionalism, and accomplishments they have developed throughout their SkillsUSA experience.

01
Before Conference Registration
Prepare participants, contestants and required documentation.
Review the National Conference Checklist
Review conference requirements and make sure all qualifying students, advisors and participants understand what is expected before registration begins.
Share National Conference Details
Share conference information with qualifying students, contestants, advisors and families.
Review National Technical Standards
Contestants who earned a spot on Team Massachusetts should review the current National Technical Standards and all competition requirements.
Prepare Contestant Résumés
All National SkillsUSA Championships contestants need to prepare and submit a résumé as part of their competition.
Complete Participant Release Forms
Collect the required release and emergency documentation for every participant attending Nationals, including advisors.
Prepare National Voting Delegates
National Voting Delegates attend an organizational meeting before Nationals. State Officers and State Officer Elects also attend the National Voting Delegate meeting.
Prepare State Design Winners
The State Trading Pin winner and National Conference T-Shirt Design winner advance to compete at Nationals.
Chapter Excellence Program Participants
Chapter Excellence Program winners participating at the national level should be included in conference planning and registration.
02
Submit Conference Registration
Register participants and submit required conference documentation.
Register Each Student
Register every student in the correct contest or activity with the correct meal choice and shirt size.
Confirm SkillsUSA Membership
Only students registered as SkillsUSA members for the current school year may attend the National Conference.
Register Advisors, Aides & Administrators
Register all adult participants with the correct meal choice and shirt size.
Submit Special Accommodation Documentation
Complete the current National Special Accommodations Form for participants with allergies, accessibility needs, required assistance or other accommodations.
Gather Required Eligibility Letters
Gather required eligibility letters for contestants competing in IEP-specific contests. Action Skills, Community Action Project and Employment Application contestants should bring required documentation to their competition.
Submit National Conference Registration
Complete and submit National Conference registration by the posted registration deadline.
Submit National Conference Payment
Submit required National Conference payment to the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Office.
03
Review Registration for Accuracy
Double-check every participant, contest and payment.
Triple-Check Your Registration
Make sure every intended participant has been registered and nobody has been left off.
Confirm Every Contest
Verify that every contestant is registered in the correct competition or conference activity.
Verify Participant Information
Check names, spelling, shirt sizes and participant information for accuracy before registration closes.
Submit Registration Invoice & Payment
Submit the completed Conference Registration Invoice and required payment to the State Office.
Order Additional State Trading Pins
Submit the Pin Order Form and payment if additional Massachusetts trading pins are needed.
Submit Additional Activity Forms
If your chapter is participating in additional Team Massachusetts activities, submit the applicable forms and payment.
04
Prepare for Nationals
Final travel, competition and supervision preparation.
Attend the Chapter Advisor’s NLSC Lunch & Learn
Advisors should attend the pre-conference meeting and review final Team Massachusetts information before travel.
Review Flights, Hotel & Conference Details
Review flight times, hotel information, conference logistics and other travel documentation.
Arrange Airport Transportation
Confirm transportation plans to and from the airport for all members of your delegation.
Share Participant Schedules
Make sure contestants and participants understand their individual schedules, activities and meeting locations.
Review Supervision Expectations
Advisors should review all supervision requirements and expectations before departure.
Review National Standards Again
Review the current National Technical Standards with every contestant and check for last-minute competition updates.
Check the National SkillsUSA Website
Check for current conference announcements, contest updates and National Conference information before traveling.
05
Forms & Documentation
National conference forms, applications and Team Massachusetts resources in one place.
CONFERENCE FORMS
RELEASE
Conference Registration, Personal & Liability Release Form
Required conference registration and liability documentation for SkillsUSA Massachusetts participants attending NLSC.
OPEN FORM →
RELEASE
Participant Release & Emergency Medical Authorization
Participant release and emergency medical authorization documentation for members of Team Massachusetts.
OPEN FORM →
NATIONAL PARTICIPATION
APPLICATION
National Voting Delegate Candidate Application
Application for students interested in representing SkillsUSA Massachusetts as a National Voting Delegate.
OPEN APPLICATION →
DESIGN CONTEST
National Conference T-Shirt Design Information
Information and requirements for the Massachusetts National Conference T-Shirt design contest.
OPEN INFORMATION →
DESIGN CONTEST
Trading Pin Design Information
Information and requirements for the Massachusetts Trading Pin design contest.
OPEN INFORMATION →
ACCOMMODATIONS & NATIONAL RESOURCES
ACCOMMODATIONS
National Special Accommodations
Complete the current National Special Accommodations Form for participants with allergies, accessibility needs, required assistance or other accommodations. Use the current National Conference resources provided by SkillsUSA.
VISIT SKILLSUSA.ORG →
TEAM MASSACHUSETTS
Additional Team Massachusetts Forms
Chapters needing additional Massachusetts trading pins or participating in additional Team Massachusetts activities should complete the applicable Pin Order Form or activity forms distributed by the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Office.