For the second year in a row, the SkillsUSA Idaho association achieved the Gold level of SkillsUSA’s State Standards of Excellence Program.

SkillsUSA is a career technical student organization (CTSO) dedicated to improving the quality of America’s future skilled workforce through developing personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. Students participate in activities and competitive events designed to prepare them for leadership in the world of work. Membership is organized into chapters at participating high schools and postsecondary institutions; these chapters are overseen by the state association, which the State Standards of Excellence program is designed to recognize.

Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to ensure state associations have in place policies, procedures and structures that deliver a high level of service to members. This non-competitive program serves as a system to allow states to benchmark their performance and determine improvements to become the very best organization for their members. 

“Achieving Gold level for two years in a row is a sign that SkillsUSA Idaho is determined not just to get back to ‘normal,’ but set an example for our members that we will emerge from the pandemic as leaders on a national level,” said SkillsUSA Idaho State Director Chet Andes.

Andrew Armstrong, CTSO manager for SkillsUSA Idaho, echoes Andes’ sentiment.

“Winning this award for two years gives me great pride in the direction of SkillsUSA Idaho. This award shows that we are committed to our membership and are fully committed and prepared to serve our chapters,” said Armstrong. “I hope this opportunity challenges our members to build strong chapters that are as excited as we are to show how amazing our Idaho members are at the national level.”

Nationally, 38 states participate in SkillsUSA. The following state associations were recognized for achieving the Bronze level of establishing a baseline for a healthy association: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The following states moved to the next level by being recognized for achieving Silver, ensuring the sustainability of healthy association: Alabama High School, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana College/Postsecondary, New York High School, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

The following states reached the pinnacle of achievement by completing the Gold level requirements, ensuring the continued growth of the association: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia College/Postsecondary, Georgia High School, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas College/Postsecondary, Texas High School, Virginia and Washington High School.

For more information about SkillsUSA, visit skillsusaidaho.com or skillsusa.org.