Information 

The SkillsUSA Massachusetts SmartStart Summit, presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Army National Guard is dedicated to unlocking potential with keys to a successful SkillsUSA journey for our first-year students (8th and 9th grades). This event features peer leadership and learning with SkillsUSA State & Chapter leaders serving as facilitators.

SmartStart seeks to equip our youngest students with the information necessary to build a strong foundation of personal, workplace and technical skills on which a successful SkillsUSA journey is built. Participants learn about SkillsUSA Massachusetts and the programs, activities, and conferences which support our mission. They also discover the importance of community service and explore opportunities to participate while learning about the importance of personal and professional development and career-readiness skills.

Summit activities are presented through a series of interactive information booths developed and facilitated by Chapter officers from our active Chapters. Facilitation teams are students who are also on their SkillsUSA journey and represent the best prospectives on “Why SkillsUSA”. SmartStrt is the perfect companion to middle school career-awareness and Freshman Exploratory programs.

SmartStart Sample Agenda

·      8:15 – 9:15 AM - Arrival

·      9:15 – 10:00 AM – Opening Session & Booth Set Up

·      10:15 AM – 1:00 PM – SkillsUSA Engagement Activities

·      1:00 – 1:45 PM – Lunch

·      2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Closing Ceremony & Awards

·      3:30 PM – Departure

What to Wear

Participating Chapters will receive SmartStart tee-shirts approximately 2 weeks prior to the event. All participants wear the appropriate tee-shirt and jeans or casual pants and casual shoes or sneakers. The tee-shirts arrive in 3 colors and are to be distributed as follows: Advisors: Black, Student Facilitators: Royal Blue, Student First-Year students: Red. Quantities and sizes are according to Chapter registration.   

What Participants Receive

First-year Students (Summit Participants): SkillsUSA Handbook, Certificate of Participation, Membership Cards, String-a-Sling backpack, Tee-shirt, SkillsUSA informational materials, breakfast snacks, and lunch. Opportunity to errn awards of excellence during the event.

Chapter Officers Students (Booth Facilitators): Certificate of Participation, String-a-Sling backpack, Tee-shirt, breakfast snacks, and lunch. Opportunity to earn awards for “Grand Champions (overall winners) - 1st – 2nd & 3rd place, Army National Guard Best Awards - 1st – 2nd & 3rd place, Creativity (most creative booth designs) - 1st – 2nd & 3rd place, Presentation (creativity in presentation, quality of information presented) - 1st – 2nd & 3rd place