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FRANKFORT, Ky. – Steve Phillippi, Kentucky SkillsUSA state director in the Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE), announced today that the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference will return to Louisville for six years beginning in 2015.
SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, is a partnership that provides career and technical education students with quality experiences in leadership and skill development. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, SkillsUSA is cited by the U.S. Department of Labor as a "successful model of employer-driven youth development training program."
Through a competitive bidding process, The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau successfully attracted the weeklong national conference. More than 14,000 people are expected to attend the conference during each of the six years. Kentucky hosted the SkillsUSA national conference in Louisville from 1982-1984 and from 1991-1993.
"Our national conference and SkillsUSA Championships is the nation’s biggest and best showcase for career and technical education students and the skilled work force it prepares," said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. "We look forward to being back in Louisville.
As we plan for continued growth, we know we will need larger convention facilities and over 6,000 hotel rooms nearby. Louisville meets those needs. And, the support of local education, business and industry is very important so we look forward to renewing old friendships and making some new ones."
Phillippi said, "Kentucky hosted the national conference during the ’90s and we are excited about this opportunity to once again showcase the Bluegrass State. Our Kentucky SkillsUSA Organization is strong. Over the years, we have continued to grow with the support of our teachers and advisors, as well as the business and industry community. We expect an outstanding national conference with positive results."
According to Phillippi, approximately 5,600 secondary and post secondary students are Kentucky SkillsUSA members. Each year, local and regional contests in occupational and leadership skill areas are held to create a pathway for statewide competition. State winners are eligible to compete at national conference.
