Held in Washington, D.C., each September, SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute conference (WLTI) offers students and advisors from across the country unique opportunities to advocate for the skilled trades while receiving advanced leadership training.
Other WLTI events include tours of D.C.’s famous monuments and museums, panel discussions with government officials, and a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
However, the highlight of the four-day event is when student delegations conduct in-person visits with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to advocate for SkillsUSA and career and technical education. During those visits, students share the value and benefits of SkillsUSA participation through their own personal experiences. They also deliver passionate appeals for continued career and technical education support. Congressional leaders come away from these special visits inspired by the promise of a new generation, and students leave with a newfound sense of pride, purpose and confidence that their voices both matter … and make a difference.
Last week, Vice President Ruselis Rivera (Junior), Parliamentarian Saul Puente (Junior), and President Aile Gonzalez (Sophomore)completed their trainings and received their SkillsUSA National Statesman Award. They did an amazing job advocating for our Judson High School CTE program.
