Our mission:
Skilled and Technical Sciences Education prepares students for employment and/or continuing education opportunities in skilled trades and other technical occupations, as well as promoting quality programs based on recognized industry standards.

SKILLED AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES EDUCATION PATHWAYS
The Utah STS Pathways are based on the national skills standards, where applicable, and established state standards.

The major industrial areas of STS are construction, manufacturing, transportation, communication, personal services, and protective services. People who work in technical fields are found everywhere. They are the contractors who build your new home and the factory workers who assemble your stereo. They are the pilots who fly you to your vacation destination and the news anchors who bring you the news. They are the police officers who keep you safe and the auto technicians who use the latest technology to figure out why your car isn't working.

Below are the nineteen Pathways in Skilled and Technical Sciences Education:

Building Trades
  -Carpentry
  -Electrician
  -HVAC
  -Plumbing

Communication
  -Television Broadcasting Technician

Mechanics and Repairs
  -Automotive Collision Repair
  -Automotive Service Technician
  -Electronics
  -Heavy Duty Diesel

Precision Production Trades
  -Cabinetmaking/Millwork
  -Drafting/CAD
  -Graphics/Printing
  -Machine Tool
  -Welding

Personal Services
  -Cosmetology/Barbering

Protective Services
  -Firefighting
  -Law Enforcement

Visual Arts
  -Commercial Art
  -Commercial Photography

Our vision is to see that every student receives the academic knowledge and technical skills needed to be successful in the STS career of his or her choice. Students will develop essential career preparation skills through technical and experiential education, as well as personal leadership opportunities.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
SkillsUSA is the student leadership organization for Skilled and Technical Sciences Education. SkillsUSA provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development. The organization builds and reinforces self-confidence, high ethical standards, superior work skills, lifelong education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

• Nationally there are over 264,000 members.
• Utah has over 13,000 members.
  www.skillsusa.org

NATIONAL RECOGNITION
In 2007, Utah had approximately150 students participate in the National SkillsUSA Championships. Sixty-three of these students were medallists, with thirty-three receiving gold medals. Students competed with dignity and represented the state of Utah extremely well.

"SkillsUSA Utah has consistently had more medal winners (and more GOLD medal winners) than any other state in the nation in SkillsUSA competitions. This is not an easy task. Our industry standards have rigor. Our industry partners have been impressed by Utah students and teachers. You have a great system that is producing the best of the best.”
—Timothy Lawrence, National Executive Director, SkillsUSA

CAREER PREPARATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Each program in STS is a sequence of courses that prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills necessary to enter their chosen field of study and increase their earning potential while still in high school.

In 2007-2008, 25,097 students attained a substantial or sufficient level on the STS competency skill certificate tests, of which 13,720 demonstrated substantial skill at 80 percent or above. Student performance must be demonstrated in class as part of the skill certificate process.

During 2007-2008:

• Auto students earned over 4,000 concurrent enrollment credit hours.
• Construction students earned over 3,600 concurrent enrollment credit hours.
• Cosmetology students earned over 200 concurrent enrollment credit hours.
• Electrical students earned over 600 concurrent enrollment credit hours.

STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
AAA
Automotive Youth Education System
Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC)
Associated General Contractors (AGC)
Ford Motor Company
New Dealers of Utah
Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Utah Home Builders Association

Updated October 2, 2008