SkillsUSA Oklahoma reports membership growth, national medals and expanded industry partnerships

Presenters at the State Board of Career and Technology Education meeting described SkillsUSA Oklahoma’s growth, contest activity and industry partnerships and invited board members to attend state and national competitions.

"SkillsUSA Oklahoma has grown to over 18,000 members this year," Kendra Kahl, SkillsUSA state advisor, told the board. She highlighted state and national contest participation and leadership-development events, and said the program is among the country’s larger SkillsUSA associations. "We were one of the largest delegations at nationals this year," she added, and said 433 Oklahoma delegates attended the national conference.

Renee Reed, the agency’s trade and industrial education program manager, reviewed the technical programs that feed SkillsUSA participation, noting growth in licensed trades, aerospace maintenance, EMT and cosmetology programs across the technology center system. Reed said the technology centers account for roughly half of full-time enrollments in the system and that many short-term adult training opportunities are also offered through center partners.

Kahl provided contest and result details: about 2,346 contestants at state conference; roughly 3,000 participants at the weekend events; 266 competing teams; and 33 national gold medals brought back to Oklahoma. She also said 124 students received SkillsUSA technical certificates (skills point certificates), and the state organization is expanding partnerships, including corporate sponsorship by Ditch Witch for a welding competition.

Board members were told the state conference occupies the Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa and uses additional partner sites as the event has grown. Presenters asked board members to consider attending future state events in April and noted the competitions are intended to connect students with industry and local employers.