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Conferences and the Tennessee Development Continuum

 

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Leadership & Development Pathway

One Journey. Every Experience Builds.

SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary conferences and leadership experiences are intentionally connected. Each opportunity prepares students, advisors, and officers for the next step in leadership, competition, advocacy, and career readiness.

Intentional Development

Students Do More Than Attend Events

The Tennessee Development Continuum shows how SkillsUSA experiences build upon one another throughout the year. Students develop leadership, workplace, technical, advocacy, and career-ready skills through a structured progression of opportunities.

Tennessee Development Continuum

From Membership to Future Workforce Leader

1Membership
2jumpSTART
3We Grow Wednesday
4SkillsUSA Elevate
5WLTI
6TLTI
7SOLR
8SLSC
9NLSC
10Future Workforce Leader

Conference and Leadership Pathway

Each Experience Has a Purpose

Students and advisors can enter the pathway at different points, but each opportunity strengthens the next.

01

Advisors & Students

jumpSTART

Start Strong

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

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

02

Advisors

We Grow Wednesday

Grow Throughout the Year

Provides ongoing optional development and support through virtual training, updates, leadership discussions, and SkillsUSA resources.

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

03

Chapter Officers

SkillsUSA Elevate

Build Chapter Officer Teams

A virtual local chapter officer training experience that helps officers understand their roles, strengthen teamwork, and prepare to lead.

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

04

Advisors & Students

Washington Leadership Training Institute

Lead and Advocate

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

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

05

Advisors & Students

Tennessee Leadership Training Institute

Develop Tennessee Leaders

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

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

06

State Officers & Executive Team

State Officer Leadership Retreat

Prepare to Serve

Prepares elected state officers through team development, communication training, professionalism, event preparation, and statewide service.

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

07

Advisors & Students

State Leadership and Skills Conference

Compete, Lead, and Be Recognized

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

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

08

Students

SkillsUSA Championships

Demonstrate Excellence

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

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

09

Advisors & Students

National Leadership and Skills Conference

Represent Tennessee Nationally

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

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

How the Experiences Build

A Year of Connected Growth

jumpSTARTIntroduces the full year of SkillsUSA opportunities.
We Grow WednesdaySupports advisor growth and communication throughout the year.
ElevateDevelops effective local chapter officer teams.
WLTIBuilds advocacy, civic leadership, and national confidence.
TLTIStrengthens Tennessee student leadership and officer readiness.
SOLRPrepares state officers to serve and represent the association.
SLSCCombines leadership, competition, recognition, and industry engagement.
NLSCProvides a national platform for competition, leadership, and representation.

Why This Continuum Matters

Development Happens Over Time

The Tennessee Development Continuum creates more than event participation. It builds confidence, leadership, technical excellence, workplace readiness, advocacy, and professional identity through repeated, connected experiences.

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

Continue Your SkillsUSA Journey

Explore the opportunities available through SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary and identify the next step in your development.