SkillsUSA-VICA returned to Kansas City the 24^th – 28^th June 2002 for its 38^th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students. Hobart Institute’s Recruiter Doug Johnson and President Phil Pratt were among the more than 12,500 people, including students, teachers, and business partners, who participated in the weeklong event. 

Phil Pratt, focusing on the Image of Welding, had the opportunity to address the instructors, carrying forth his “I’m Mad as Hell” [The World of Welding, Winter 2002] theme, bringing his audience to their feet in support of the message.  Hobart Institute’s Image Army certificates were awarded to some 25 teachers who have been responsible for tutoring their protégés to win medals at five of the last six International Skills Olympics, thus spreading the good word about welding.

More than 4,000 outstanding career and technical education students – all state contest winners – competed in 73 different trade, technical, and leadership fields.  Students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as welding, electronics, drafting, machining, medical and culinary arts.  Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations, and labor organizations and test competencies are set by industry.  The top competitors are awarded gold, silver or bronze medallions often accompanied by scholarships and/or tools of their trades provided by industry sponsors.

A variety of professional development activities and seminars for instructors and students are held throughout the conference.  Trade and technical representatives have the opportunity to discuss career opportunities with the students during the SkillsUSA’s TECHSPO and Career Fair. 

SkillsUSA believes this is the single greatest day of industry volunteerism in American every year at an estimated cost of in-kind contributions from industry at $25 million. Total volunteer hours dedicated during the week is approximately 56,000. The annual Championships require a massive amount of equipment and materials, including over 700 computers; 50 trucks; 9,500 bricks and 1,500 blocks; 100 stoves; and complete laboratories for machining, welding, auto repair and painting.  The electricity usage for that week alone in 2001 totaled $60,000. Begun in 1967, the SkillsUSA Championships have grown from 54 competitors in three contests to over 4,000 competitors in 73 hands-on skill and leadership contests.  As the demand of new and expanding occupations grow, SkillsUSA adds new contests to the championships.

SkillsUSA-VICA is a national organization serving 266,000 high school and college students and professional members in training programs in technical, skilled, health, and service occupations.  The organization has the active support of more than 1,000 corporations, trade associations, business and labor unions at the national level.  Student membership in SkillsUSA-VICA offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs and activities to complement skill training.  Its programs help students prepare to go to work, emphasizing respect for the dignity of work, high standards of 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.