SCVTHS Holds SkillsUSA National Signing Day for Students Entering Skilled Trades

BRIDGEWATER – On May 7, sixteen seniors graduating from skilled trades programs at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day, sponsored by the Lowe’s Foundation, State Farm and Constellation. SkillsUSA National Signing Day is a nationwide celebration showcasing the next generation of skilled professionals and the skilled career paths that have been, are, and always will be essential to America’s future.

The participants in the event at SCVTHS came from the contracting trades programs, including Carpentry, Plumbing and Electrical Construction. The students were recognized by administrators, teachers, and advisors as they signed letters of intent, committing to pursue skilled career paths. According to Electrical Construction instructor Mike McClain signing day “allows the students to be excited about the future and what they're going to do.” He added that the event “is kind of an end result of their training and leads to the next step - going out and getting to work.”

There is a critical need for skilled tradespeople in the United States. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 88% of contractors have difficulty finding qualified candidates for open positions. By empowering the next generation of skilled professionals and career-ready leaders, SkillsUSA and their partners hope to close this skills gap while highlighting the opportunities that exist in fulfilling, lucrative and in-demand skilled careers.

The SkillsUSA program is thriving at SCVTHS, and students have recently participated in the New Jersey State competition. A contingent of the resulting gold medalists from the school will be heading to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta in June.

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