SkillsUSA Georgia

A delegation of 18 career, technical and agricultural education students and instructors representing Georgia met with four congressional leaders on September 18, 2007:  Representative Lynn Westmoreland, Representative Sanford Bishop, Senator Johnny Isakson, and Senator Saxby Chambliss.  Congressional visits are a regular part of SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI).

The five-day Washington Leadership Training Institute is sponsored each year by SkillsUSA to provide students an opportunity to learn about Washington and the democratic process.  This year’s delegations discussed the value of their education; the value of public career and technical education to their respective states; the quality of their education and training; their occupational plans; and, the benefits of their participation in SkillsUSA.  They explained that today’s workplace requires people with leadership, teamwork and communication skills to participate in high-quality systems.  SkillsUSA has been successful in developing these skills in students of all ages and backgrounds.

The Washington Leadership Training Institute is a “capstone” leadership and citizenship training event to which students must apply for admission.  WLTI concentrates on advanced communications skills, including working with the news media and the inner workings of government.

Following is a list of those attending from Georgia: Jarrod Price, Alisha Smalley, Kelly Glass, Trakena Moore, Morgan Hunt, Victoria Slagle, Natalie Sanders, Trenesia Williams, Tim Cockrell, Linda Jackson, Judy Glass, Phyllis Johnson, Amy Hicks, Gayle Silvey, Arleather Browner, Reginald Browner, Briuna Browner, and Sonny Cannon.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 285,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skills, and service occupations.  It has the active support of over 1,100 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions at the national level.  Student membership in SkillsUSA offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs and activities to complement skills training.  Its programs help students prepare to go to work.  SkillsUSA emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, high standards in trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety.  It promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and encourages the development of patriotism through democratic practices in local chapters.