CTE Month CTSOs Series: Learn about Skills USA and TSA

February 21st, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
Centennial Middle, CTE, News, Secondary Schools

Career and Technical Education (CTE) takes center stage in our district during February. As we delve into celebrating CTE, we aim to shed light on the various Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) that play pivotal roles in shaping our students’ futures. This week, we focus on SkillsUSA and TSA (Technology Student Association).

SkillsUSA, formerly Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), focuses on empowering students through hands-on experiences in construction, automotive technology, healthcare, and culinary arts. It provides a platform for students to showcase their technical skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork dynamics.

TSA, on the other hand, gears its efforts toward fostering innovation and technological literacy among students. Through many competitive events and leadership opportunities, TSA encourages students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, robotics, coding, and design.

SkillsUSA and TSA are incubators for leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Both emphasize practical learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Students in these organizations gain invaluable insights into real-world challenges and opportunities through competitions, community projects, and industry partnerships.

To gain deeper insights into stories about students and teachers at SkillsUSA and TSA, we encourage you to explore our district’s coverage of past events and achievements:

Read about Centennial Middle School’s National TSA team from 2022; their team has historically placed well over the past few years, and the students that exit TSA emerge as a few of our district’s brightest go-getters.

Or read an interview with the aforementioned TSA team’s nationalists. Meet Veronica Gao, who was an 8th grader at Centennial Middle School at the time of our meeting. Her accomplishments in TSA competitions and aspirations for a law career set her on a path toward success; she was aspiring for Harvard University at the time, and we believe she’s a likely candidate for enrollment.

What’s Next? Joining SkillsUSA and TSA

As we celebrate Career and Technical Education in our district, we urge parents, students, and community members to explore the opportunities available through SkillsUSA and TSA. Whether your interests lie in technical fields, STEM disciplines, or leadership development, these organizations offer a wealth of resources and experiences to support your journey toward success.

We encourage you to contact your school counselors or advisors to learn how to get involved with SkillsUSA and TSA programming.

Stay updated on SkillsUSA and TSA news and events by visiting our district’s official news page for Career and Technical Education. We sincerely thank the teachers, advisors, and mentors who make these experiences possible.