District 10 SkillsUSA Leadership Training: Igniting Potential
For the first time since 2019, the District 10 SkillsUSA Leadership Training event took place at Seneca Hills Campground and Conference Center, and the SkillsUSA Chapter from Lawrence County CTC joined in on the fun. This highly anticipated event brought together students eager to develop essential leadership and career-readiness skills under the theme "Ignite Your Potential."
SkillsUSA Framework: Building Future Leaders
The SkillsUSA Framework was at the heart of the training, focusing on three key areas:
Personal Skills
Workplace Skills
Technical Skills Grounded in Academics
The framework empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. It provides a common language for students to communicate their growth to employers, educators, and peers. Additionally, it ensures every student receives a consistent and specific skill set, aligning with industry demands.
Team-Building Activities: Learning Through Experience
One of the highlights of the event was an interactive team-building exercise that required participants to construct a tower using wooden blocks of varying angles. Each block represented core values essential for building a strong foundation in any team or organization. The exercise emphasized strategic planning, communication, and collaboration—essential workplace skills that mirror real-world challenges.
Managing Anxiety: A Session for Personal Growth
Another impactful session focused on Reducing Anxiety, equipping students with practical strategies to manage stress and overcome challenges. Attendees learned how anxiety affects the body, the importance of a growth mindset, and techniques such as deep breathing and positive self-talk to stay resilient in stressful situations.
Key takeaways included:
Recognizing anxiety as a natural response and learning to manage it
Using slow breathing techniques to calm the mind
Encouraging a growth mindset by reframing negative thoughts
Facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them
Interactive Learning: Escape Room Trivia
Students tested their SkillsUSA knowledge in an Escape Room-style trivia challenge, featuring questions from the emblem, framework, creed, and pledge. This engaging activity reinforced their understanding of the organization’s core principles in a fun and interactive way.
Additional Fun: Rock Climbing and Axe Throwing
Beyond structured sessions, students had the opportunity to participate in engaging physical challenges, including a rock climbing wall and an axe throwing pit. These activities not only provided excitement but also reinforced key lessons in safety, precision, and controlled decision-making. Following the Technical Skills Grounded in Academics lessons, participants practiced proper techniques, wore appropriate safety gear, and followed strict safety protocols. These challenges encouraged perseverance, focus, and confidence, aligning with SkillsUSA’s mission of preparing students for success in their future careers.
Conclusion
The District 10 SkillsUSA Leadership Training event was a resounding success, offering students valuable hands-on learning experiences. Through teamwork exercises, anxiety management strategies, and interactive challenges, participants left the event feeling more confident, empowered, and prepared for their future careers.
With the SkillsUSA Framework as their guide, these students are well on their way to becoming the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders in their fields.
