SkillsUSA: Building Future Leaders

UGI Utilities is dedicated to making a concentrated investment into the future potential workforce. We are committed to building future leaders by supporting programs that teach students the necessary skills to enter the workforce.

We are proud to partner with SkillsUSA District 11 through Pennsylvania’s EITC program. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that aims to fill the ongoing skills gap, where more highly skilled jobs are available than skilled professionals ready to fill them. Their mission is to create a world-class workforce through professional development of local career and technical education students and partnerships with the local business community. SkillsUSA’s programs help students to identify personal strengths and learn how to focus, meet goals, and work under pressure.

SkillsUSA District 11, based in the Lehigh Valley area, recently hosted their Championship event featuring over 440 students competing in 60 contests of skill, ability, and creativity. Contests included plumbing, HVAC, electrical wiring, carpentry, masonry, architectural drafting, cyber security, web design, mechatronics and more.  For many students, this was their first opportunity to work alongside industry representatives who facilitated and judged the competitions. The event also provides students an opportunity to showcase their skills to the larger community by applying what they have learned in the classroom to what is required in the workplace.

“I was proud to represent UGI at the SkillsUSA District 11 Championships and awards ceremony.  The students demonstrated they have the knowledge and skills in their respective trades that will take them far in their future,” says Lori Hoffman, UGI’s Sr Community Relations Program Administrator for the East Region. “Thanks to SkillsUSA and everyone who makes this event possible to give students this opportunity!”

Last year following their Championship event, District 11 sent 90 students to compete at the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State conference and 15 students went on to compete at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, GA.

In addition to the District 11 Championship, our partnership also supports a variety of other events where students are able to interact with community members and learn professional decorum, such as the Professional Development Conference which provides nearly 200 students with workshops and seminars on topics such as etiquette, non-verbal communication, dressing for success, interviewing skills, community service, and teamwork. The conference also features a session called Career Clusters where students met with area professionals in their future trade and were given a real-world view of what to expect when they enter the workforce.

UGI Utilities is proud to support SkillsUSA District 11’s efforts to build future leaders and Fuel Our Future!

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