About Us
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure that America has a skilled work force. We help every student excel. SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that is recognized as an integral part of the classroom by the OVAE.
SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.
A nonprofit national education association (501c3), SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service (including health) occupations.
SkillsUSA is committed to using its resources to provide its members with the greatest opportunities to succeed. From industry-designed competitions to professional and leadership development workshops, SkillsUSA gives students an opportunity to enhance both their technical and employability skills.
Started in 1965 as V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA has served 13.6 million members since 1965.
Over 372,000 student- & teacher-members participated in SkillsUSA in 2019-20.
2021-2022 State Officer Team
Corey Beam, South Columbus High School
Carter Godwin, Midway High School
Jocelyn Hernandez, Avery County High School
Ian Hudson, Richlands High School
Emma Mosley, Bear Grass Charter School
Marley Ray, Midway High School
SkillsUSA North Carolina Staff
Paul Heidepriem
Executive Director
Rod Lykins
Director of Membership & Curriculum
Brandon Ramirez
State Leadership Coordinator
Glenn Barefoot
Assistant Director
SkillsUSA North Carolina
Board of Directors
Daryle Nobles, Chairman
Retired Educator
Bill Willetts
Snap-On Tools
Tony Reggi
North Carolina Community College System
Bill Burgess
Carolina Training Associates
Michael Williams
Daimler
Kris Dell
Applied Software
Carl Coffey
Lowe's Home Improvement
Ryan Shaver
North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association
Wayne Lee
Retired Educator
Hardin Kennedy
Wilkes Community College
Jeff Faircloth
Guilford Technical Community College
Tim Eldridge
Educational Services Unlimited
David Barbour
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Jim Pressly
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction