Conferences and the Tennessee Development Continuum

SkillsUSA Tennessee Postsecondary conferences and leadership experiences are intentionally connected. Each event prepares students, advisors, and officers for the next step in their SkillsUSA journey, from first involvement at the local chapter level to state leadership, competition, advocacy, and national representation.

The Tennessee Development Continuum shows how SkillsUSA experiences build upon one another throughout the year. Students do not simply attend events. They develop leadership, workplace, technical, advocacy, and career-ready skills through a structured progression of opportunities.

Tennessee Development Continuum

Membership
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jumpSTART
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We Grow Wednesday
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SkillsUSA Elevate
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Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI)
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Tennessee Leadership Training Institute (TLTI)
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State Officer Leadership Retreat (SOLR)
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State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC)
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National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)
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Future Workforce Leader

Conference and Leadership Pathway

jumpSTART-Advisors and Students

Start Strong

jumpSTART introduces students and advisors to SkillsUSA, chapter operations, leadership development, competitions, membership, and the Chapter of Excellence Program.

Prepares students for: chapter involvement, competitions, We Grow Wednesday, TLTI, and year-long SkillsUSA participation.

We Grow Wednesday-Advisors

Grow Throughout the Year

We Grow Wednesday provides ongoing optional development and support for advisors and members through virtual training, updates, leadership discussions, and SkillsUSA resources.

Prepares advisors for: stronger chapters, conference readiness, leadership development, and advisor support.

SkillsUSA Elevate ↗-Chapter Officers

Build Chapter Officer Teams

Elevate is a virtual local chapter officer team training experience that helps officers understand their roles, strengthen teamwork, and prepare to lead their chapters.

Prepares students for: chapter leadership, officer responsibilities, TLTI, and local chapter success.

Washington Leadership Training Institute-Advisors and Students

Lead and Advocate

WLTI develops student leaders through advocacy training, public policy education, SkillsUSA Framework development, and Capitol Hill visits in Washington, D.C.

Prepares students for: advocacy, TLTI, state officer opportunities, civic leadership, and national leadership experiences.

Tennessee Leadership Training Institute-Advisors and Students

Develop Tennessee Leaders

TLTI strengthens leadership, communication, professionalism, teamwork, and career readiness while connecting student leaders from across Tennessee.

Prepares students for: state officer candidacy, SOLR, SLSC leadership roles, and continued leadership development.

State Officer Leadership Retreat-State Officers and Executive Team

Prepare to Serve

SOLR prepares elected state officers to lead the state association through team development, communication training, professionalism, event preparation, and statewide service.

Prepares officers to lead: SLSC, NLSC, TLTI, chapter visits, ceremonies, and statewide initiatives.

State Leadership and Skills Conference-Advisors and Students

Compete, Lead, and Be Recognized

SLSC is the capstone state event where members compete, serve as delegates, participate in leadership activities, connect with industry, and celebrate student achievement.

Prepares students for: national competition, national delegate roles, industry networking, recognition, and career success.

SkillsUSA Championships-Students

Demonstrate Excellence

Competitions allow students to demonstrate technical, workplace, and leadership skills aligned with business and industry expectations.

Prepares students for: SLSC, NLSC, employment, certifications, and high-demand career pathways.

National Leadership and Skills Conference-Advisors and Students

Represent Tennessee Nationally

NLSC brings together state champions, delegates, officers, advisors, and industry leaders from across the nation for competition, leadership, recognition, and workforce engagement.

Prepares students for: national recognition, career advancement, industry connections, and future leadership.

How the Experiences Build

• jumpSTART introduces students and advisors to the full year of SkillsUSA opportunities.
• We Grow Wednesday supports advisors' continued growth, training, and communication throughout the year.
• Elevate helps local chapter officers understand their roles and lead more effectively.
• WLTI develops advocacy, civic leadership, and national-level confidence.
• TLTI strengthens Tennessee student leadership and prepares students for state officer roles.
• SOLR prepares state officers to serve, lead, and represent the organization.
• SLSC brings leadership, competition, recognition, and industry engagement together at the state level.
• NLSC allows Tennessee members to compete, lead, and represent the state on the national stage.

Why This Continuum Matters

The Tennessee Development Continuum is designed to create more than event participation. It builds confidence, leadership, technical excellence, workplace readiness, advocacy, and professional identity over time.

Students who begin with chapter involvement can grow into competitors, officers, advocates, delegates, national medalists, industry-connected professionals, and future workforce leaders.

Take the Next Step

Explore the opportunities available through SkillsUSA Tennessee Postsecondary and identify the next step in your leadership journey.

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