PEORIA — Nearly 2,000 students from more than 80 schools, including Danville Area Community College, have been participating in SkillsUSA’s Elite Workforce Development Competition that started Thursday and runs through today.
The students representing schools from Chicagoland to Southern Illinois headed to Peoria for their version of a call-up to the big leagues: showing off how their skills match up against their peers and in front of potential employers for the successful careers they seek, in Illinois’ premier workforce development showcase.
Students have been competing in more than 150 career competitions at the Peoria Civic Center, as the culmination for a school year dedicated to career development through the SkillsUSA Illinois program. The SkillsUSA Illinois 2024 Championships conference is sponsored again this year by Caterpillar Inc. and the City of Peoria.
The three-day celebration of students’ and schools’ commitment to career and technical education (CTE), all made possible by hundreds of industry partners, trade associations and labor organizations who volunteer countless hours to judge the competitions as students race against the clock and each other to prove their expertise in manufacturing, electronics, computer-aided drafting, culinary arts, construction, hospitality, human services and much more.
The students advanced from qualifying and regional championships competitions. Winners of the statewide championships this weekend will go on to compete in the national SkillsUSA Championships this June in Atlanta, Georgia.
Some of the competing schools traveled to Springfield in early March for the first SkillsUSA Illinois Lobby Day, where they met legislators at the State Capitol and advocated for expanded funding and flexibility for CTE programs. SkillsUSA programming is supported by a state grant under the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship program. Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed a $10 million increase in CTE funding for next year.
SkillsUSA Illinois’ mission is to help employers statewide address a growing skills gap with its nonprofit partnership of students, instructors, and industry to introduce and encourage young people about employment needs and the skilled workforce required to meet them.
“We are so grateful to Caterpillar, the City of Peoria, and our dedicated industry partners and volunteers who make these championships and all of our work to help connect students and careers a big success,” said SkillsUSA Illinois Executive Director Eric Hill. “Our state needs more skilled workers, and the championships provide a true spotlight into the excellent work being done across the state to meet those needs while we work to grow more talent and create new opportunities.”
SkillsUSA Illinois is a state and national membership association serving high school, college and middle school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.