SkillsUSA - VACTE Construction

VACTE Construction SkillsUSA Chapter was selected one of eight  nationally for the Models of Excellence Technical Skills Award for the 2nd consecutive year.

The annual program recognizes the exceptional integration of personal, workplace and technical skills into SkillsUSA chapter activities. This is the highest honor bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, which is among the largest student organizations for career and technical education.

“Our Models of Excellence represent the very best in chapter achievement and community involvement,” said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. “These students represent America’s future skilled workforce and are future leaders in their local communities. It is a tremendous honor for these chapters and the recognition validates these outstanding SkillsUSA programs.”

The top  SkillsUSA chapters selected as Models of Excellence will be evaluated in June for top honors. A panel of judges will evaluate each of these highest-level schools based on their goals, plan of action, results, evaluation and SkillsUSA Framework integration. Business and industry partners will conduct finalist interviews with students and advisors, and then help select the top three schools to be recognized on June 26 during the National Leadership and Skills Conference Virtual Recognition Session.

The focus of Models of Excellence is student-led activation. These students learn and practice the skills that every employer seeks, including leadership, initiative, communication, teamwork and problem solving by taking the lead on all SkillsUSA activities. Their SkillsUSA instructors take the education of these students to the next level by guiding them, but never doing the work for them, elevating learning from classroom instruction to successful application of skills.

Travis Black

Congratulations to the 2019-2020 AZSkillsUSA Advisor of the Year, Travis Black from VACTE!

Mr. Black has been advanced for consideration for the 2020 Region V Advisor of the Year, which will be announced in June. Three years ago, Mr. Black started the construction program at VACTE and saw the importance of SkillsUSA for his students. In 2019 and again in 2020, his chapter was named a Models of Excellence chapter by national SkillsUSA.

Francisco Bekele

Congratulations to Francisco Bekele the 2020-2021 AZSkillsUSA Region 4 President from the Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education Construction Program and Sedona High School Senior Class.