SkillsUSA

What SkillsUSA does

SkillsUSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit national career and technical student organization (CTSO) founded in 1965 and headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia. It is one of eight CTSOs officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and operates a three-tiered federation model spanning 50 state associations plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with more than 6,800 local school chapters serving over 444,000 student and teacher members. The organization addresses the U.S. skilled-trades workforce gap by delivering the SkillsUSA Framework — a 17-Essential-Element career-readiness blueprint developed with input from 1,000+ industry partners — combined with curriculum, certifications, and 115 occupational competitions at the annual SkillsUSA Championships.

The core technology platform is SkillsUSA Pathful, an all-in-one career exploration and workforce readiness system that functions as a work-based learning intermediary, connecting students with industry professionals through live and on-demand content, and hosting the Framework Integration Toolkit, Program of Work Toolkit, Absorb LMS, and professional development e-courses. Supporting products include SkillsUSA Career Essentials (industry-recognized credential curriculum), the Essential Element Self-Evaluation Assessment, Chapter Excellence Program recognition tiers, CareerSafe OSHA-authorized online safety training ($32/student), and dedicated e-commerce storefronts for merchandise and educational resources. Digital engagement is reinforced through SkillsUSA Champions (digital magazine hub), the SkillsUSA Podcast, and active social channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

SkillsUSA's revenue is diversified across multiple streams: state and national membership dues paid through school advisors, corporate and foundation partnerships (which reached a record $8,130,426 in 2025), tax-deductible donations (including DAF Direct and employer matching), SkillsUSA-branded merchandise, and OSHA safety training course fees. Major corporate partners include Lowe's Foundation ($1M Gable Grant), DEWALT/Stanley Black & Decker (aligning with a $60M 'Grow the Trades' initiative through 2030), FANUC America (robotics equipment donations), Trimble (construction software), Aerotek (presenting NLSC sponsor with 500+ scholarships awarded), BMW, General Motors, the U.S. Navy, and State Farm. Distribution is anchored in school chapters (advisor-led onboarding), supplemented by national events such as the National Leadership & Skills Conference (19,000+ attendees in 2026) and National Signing Day.

Name

SkillsUSA

Legal name

SkillsUSA Inc.

Website

https://skillsusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SkillsUSA is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit career and technical student organization serving over 444,000 student and teacher members across all 50 U.S. states via 6,800+ school chapters, delivering industry-validated workforce readiness curriculum, 115 occupational competitions, and corporate partnership–funded programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education / Workforce Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Services & Career Readiness (EDALABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Human Resources & Talent Development (EDAGANAB)

Keywords

• Career and technical education
• Workforce development programs
• Skilled trades competitions
• Student leadership training
• Industry-recognized credentials

Headquarters

HQ city

Leesburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Student and teacher professional members pay state and national dues through school advisors upon registration. State directors and chapters register members through the membership registration system.
2. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Major corporate partnerships and foundation grants provide significant revenue. In 2025, corporate and individual giving reached $8,130,426. Partners include Lowe's Foundation ($1M Gable Grant), DEWALT, Aerotek, FANUC America, and others who sponsor events, competitions, and provide in-kind contributions.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations support programs across the United States. Options include direct donations, bequests and estate planning, direct transfer of securities, employee matching programs, and donor-advised fund grants through DAF Direct.
4. SkillsUSA Store: Merchandise store (skillsusastore.org) sells official SkillsUSA-branded attire, competition uniforms, fashion apparel, awards, and gifts. Educational Resources Store (skillsusastore.net) sells curriculum materials, spirit wear, posters, and competition coaching guides.
5. CareerSafe Training Courses: OSHA-authorized online safety training courses, including OSHA 10-hour training at $32 per student, generating revenue through course vouchers sold to students and schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SkillsUSA delivers career and technical education programming, leadership development, occupational competitions, and workforce readiness resources to middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary students through a three-tiered federation of national, state, and local school chapters. Its core products include the SkillsUSA Pathful digital platform, the SkillsUSA Framework of 17 Essential Elements, SkillsUSA Career Essentials curriculum, and the SkillsUSA Championships across 100+ occupational areas, all supported by 850+ industry partners and backed by official U.S. Department of Education recognition as a career and technical student organization.

Product overview

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, operating as a comprehensive platform with multiple interconnected products and programs. The core offerings include SkillsUSA Pathful (an all-in-one career exploration and workforce readiness platform), the SkillsUSA Championships (national occupational skill competitions), the National Leadership & Skills Conference (annual gathering), the SkillsUSA Framework (career-readiness blueprint with 17 Essential Elements), and National Signing Day. Supporting modules include SkillsUSA Career Essentials (curriculum suite), SkillsUSA Framework Integration Toolkit, Program of Work Toolkit, Work-Based Learning Toolkit, Xplore (career exploration for middle schools), Middle School Momentum, Elevate (virtual chapter officer training), Chapter Officer Development tools, WorldSkills Competition preparation, and Chapter Excellence Program (recognition). Sub-brands include the SkillsUSA Store, SkillsUSA Resources Store, SkillsUSA Champions (digital magazine), and SkillsUSA Podcast. Partner offerings include CareerSafe (OSHA safety training). Together, these products serve over 444,000 student and teacher members across middle schools, high schools, and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SkillsUSA Membership (Student and Teacher Professional Membership) Annual registration that grants CTE students and teachers access to SkillsUSA programs, competitions, curriculum, the Pathful platform, and member benefits; purchased at the chapter/school level through state and national dues.
• SkillsUSA Pathful Platform An all-in-one career exploration and workforce readiness digital platform that connects students with industry professionals through live and on-demand content and provides access to SkillsUSA curriculum, professional member benefits, Framework Integration Toolkit, and Program of Work Toolkit.
• SkillsUSA Championships National occupational skill competitions where students demonstrate technical skills against industry-validated standards across 100+ competition areas, from 3D Animation to Welding; culminates in the annual National Leadership & Skills Conference.
• National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) Annual national conference and competitions gathering bringing together more than 19,000 CTE students, educators, and business partners for skills competitions, leadership development, and industry networking.
• SkillsUSA National Signing Day Nationwide celebration honoring thousands of CTE students as they publicly commit to skilled trades careers, connecting them directly with industry partners and treating CTE students like elite athletic draft picks.
• SkillsUSA Career Essentials Suite of career-readiness curricula aligned to the SkillsUSA Framework that helps learners define, implement, and measure career readiness through online modules; completion yields an industry-recognized credential.
• CareerSafe OSHA Safety Training OSHA-authorized online safety training courses (including OSHA 10-hour) sold to students and schools through course vouchers; upon completion, students receive an OSHA-issued industry-recognized credential card.
• WorldSkills USA Team Program International skilled trades competition program in which elite SkillsUSA competitors represent the United States against top craftspeople from approximately 90 countries; includes preparation training and team selection.
• SkillsUSA Absorb LMS Learning management system (integrated within Pathful) that delivers SkillsUSA curriculum, professional member benefits, and SkillsUSA educational content to members and advisors.
• Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) Annual national conference in Washington, D.C. where students develop leadership skills, learn how government works, and advocate for the skilled trades to lawmakers.
• Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) Standards-based chapter recognition program with three award levels recognizing chapter achievement in developing SkillsUSA Framework Essential Element skills, based on Program of Work activities.
• Xplore Career Exploration Program Career exploration program designed for high school or college/postsecondary chapter members to facilitate hands-on lessons introducing middle school students to skilled trades and in-demand careers.
• Middle School Momentum Program providing middle school advisors with age-appropriate resources to establish, engage, and grow high-quality chapters, introducing students to leadership, career readiness, and personal development through the SkillsUSA Framework.
• Elevate (Chapter Officer Virtual Experience) Interactive virtual experience for local chapter officer teams focused on building successful chapters by equipping officers with skills to lead and serve chapter members.
• SkillsUSA Educational Resources Store Online store for educators offering SkillsUSA Career Essentials suite, spirit wear, posters, competition coaching guides, and SkillsUSA Framework tools.
• SkillsUSA Store (Merchandise) Official e-commerce store selling SkillsUSA-branded attire, competition uniforms, fashion apparel, awards, and gifts.
• SkillsUSA Framework (with 17 Essential Elements) A blueprint for career readiness comprising Personal Skills, Workplace Skills, and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, with 17 Essential Elements identified by 1,000+ industry partners; provides a common language for students to articulate skills and assesses skill development along a learning continuum.

Quantifiable outcome

• SkillsUSA members consistently outperform peers not enrolled in career and technical student organizations in 7 essential areas including earning licenses/certifications, meeting employers, career excitement, work experience, understanding work environment, school excitement, and connecting school to real world
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• I-CARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Participated at SkillsUSA 2026 in Atlanta, engaging students, parents, educators, and industry partners through booth activities, interactive scavenger hunts, and distribution of 1,000 custom pins. I-CAR team members and instructors volunteered to judge Collision Repair Technology competitions against professional industry standards. Partnership reinforces I-CAR's workforce development mission addressing technician shortages in collision repair industry.
• WorldSkills InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026SkillsUSA officially announced the full roster of the 2026 WorldSkills USA team at its National Leadership & Skills Conference. Nine-member team represents elite skilled professionals who advanced through rigorous state and national competitions and will compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China from September 22-27, 2026. SkillsUSA has long-standing partnership with WorldSkills International, having brought home bronze medals in Welding in 2022 and 2024.
• DEWALT (Stanley Black & Decker)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Named premium partner and tools sponsor for SkillsUSA and WorldSkills International, backing two American competitors (Charles Goede in Plumbing and Tristan Coates in Carpentry) for the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. Provides tools and resources for competition preparation. Sponsorship aligns with DEWALT's 'Grow the Trades' initiative, a $60 million investment in trades education by 2030.
• FANUC America CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Expanded presence at 2026 SkillsUSA National Conference including donations of LR Mate 200iD/7LC Clean Room robots and full Certified Education Training program to SkillsUSA member schools. Leads Robotics and Automation Technology competition and partners with SkillsUSA, American Welding Society, Miller Welding and Hypertherm to launch new robotic welding exhibition featuring CRX-10iA collaborative robots.
• NEST (Philadelphia-area integrated facilities management company)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Providing travel support for students competing in Facilithon #NextGenOfFM National Finals, a SkillsUSA competition focused on exposing high school and technical school students to careers in facilities management. Initiative builds on broader workforce development efforts including Skilled Trades Advisory Council established in 2023.
• TrimblecoreTechnology or Integration · 20 May 2026Collaboration to provide construction technology and training to CTE students across the United States. Includes software donations of SketchUp, Tekla, and Trimble Business Center for classroom use and skills competitions. Sponsors drafting, drone technology, and heavy equipment operation competitions at NLSC. Initiative addresses projected demand for over 450,000 new construction professionals in 2027.
• AerotekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026Returning as presenting sponsor of SkillsUSA's National Leadership & Skills Conference for third consecutive year. Awards grants to student medalists in 19 SkillsUSA Championship competitions. Partnership since 2021 includes scholarship program that has awarded over 500 scholarships to date. Participates in panel discussions on workforce development and talent trends.
• U.S. NavycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, hosting or supporting signing events aligned with naval industries to address U.S. skills gap by positioning CTE students as career-ready talent for high-demand, high-tech fields.
• BMWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, celebrating thousands of CTE students committing to skilled trades and technical careers.
• General MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, celebrating thousands of CTE students committing to skilled trades and technical careers.
• State FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, celebrating thousands of CTE students committing to skilled trades and technical careers.
• Tennant CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, celebrating thousands of CTE students committing to skilled trades and technical careers.
• Stand TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Industry partner supporting SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2026, celebrating thousands of CTE students committing to skilled trades and technical careers.
• NAPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Launched five scholarship programs targeting students pursuing automotive careers, partnering with WD-40 Brand, TechForce Foundation, Carlyle Tools, SkillsUSA, and University of the Aftermarket Foundation. Programs provide financial support ranging from $2,500 to fully equipped toolbox to address projected shortage of more than 750,000 technicians across automotive, diesel, collision, and aviation fields by 2027.
• TechForce FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Nonprofit workforce planner supporting NAPA scholarship programs through SkillsUSA partnership. Foundation's 2023 Transportation Supply & Demand report showed first increase in postsecondary technical completions in 10 years.
• Legacy Online SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Partnership creates new SkillsUSA chapter for online students enabling competition in technical and leadership fields, certifications, and development of essential skills like communication and problem-solving.
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Successfully added roofing as official SkillsUSA trade and developed standardized curriculum. Student participation grew from 4 states in 2023 to 15 states in 2025 as part of efforts to attract Gen Z to roofing trades.
• PHCC Educational FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Partnered with SkillsUSA to host plumbing competition during 2025 SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, attracting over 6,700 students. Event focused on showcasing and developing skilled trades talent amidst industry challenges like labor shortages and technological changes.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DECA: One of the other seven U.S. Department of Education-authorized Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). DECA prepares emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management — competing with SkillsUSA for CTE student mindshare in high schools.
• National FFA Organization: One of the largest federally authorized CTSOs, focused on agricultural education. FFA shares SkillsUSA's federation model, national convention scale, corporate sponsor network (including John Deere, Case IH), and SkillsUSA's agricultural mechanics competitions are direct overlap.
• HOSA-Future Health Professionals: Another federally authorized CTSO focused on health occupations. HOSA mirrors SkillsUSA's federation model, competitions, and chapter-based structure but targets healthcare CTE students, providing direct comparability in program design and funding.
• BPA (Business Professionals of America): A federally authorized CTSO serving business and information technology CTE students. BPA's chapter model, leadership conferences, and competition structure parallel SkillsUSA's operating format.
• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America): A federally authorized CTSO serving family and consumer sciences CTE students. Shares SkillsUSA's chapter-based federation model, national leadership conference, and competitive events format.
• FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America): One of the eight federally authorized CTSOs. FBLA operates a similar three-tiered federation, leadership conferences, and competitive events structure as SkillsUSA but targets business-focused CTE students, making it a direct structural peer.
• Technology Student Association (TSA): A federally authorized CTSO serving STEM-focused CTE students. TSA's federation model, middle/high school chapter structure, and national conference competitions make it a direct organizational peer to SkillsUSA.

Emerging players

• 4-H: A national youth development organization with hands-on learning programs in STEM, agriculture, and career readiness. 4-H overlaps with SkillsUSA in middle-school career exploration, agriculture/mechanical sciences, and a federally-supported youth development mission, though it operates through Cooperative Extension rather than school chapters.
• NAF (National Academy Foundation): A national network of career academies focused on preparing high school students for college and career, with industry-themed academies. NAF overlaps with SkillsUSA in CTE delivery, industry partnership models, and career readiness outcomes, but uses a school-based academy model rather than CTSO chapters.
• Junior Achievement USA: A large K-12 nonprofit delivering career readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programs. While JA focuses more broadly on career exploration than skilled trades, it overlaps with SkillsUSA's Career Essentials curriculum and competes for CTE classroom time and corporate sponsor dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SkillsUSA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/SkillsUSAOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/SkillsUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skillsusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/SkillsUSA
• TikToktiktok.com/@skillsusaofficial

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SkillsUSA