VGCC joins SkillsUSA
Vance-Granville Community College recently established a chapter of the national organization, a partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
SkillsUSA chapters help students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations excel. Founded in 1965 as V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA has served nearly 12 million members in its 50-year history. Today, the organization has more than 360,000 students and instructors as members nationwide.
“The VGCC Business & Applied Technologies division previously sponsored clubs for students in individual curriculum programs, but SkillsUSA will allow students in all of these programs to join one organization and have new opportunities,” said Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Angela Gardner-Ragland.
“SkillsUSA is program that collaborates with high schools, colleges and universities to enhance the technical and employability skills of the students enrolled through enhanced classroom training,” said Antoinette Dickens, head of VGCC’s Paralegal Technology program and one of the instructors involved in advising students.
A recent kickoff event at the college enrolled 62 student members for the new chapter.
Among the benefits to VGCC students will be opportunities to participate in competitions at the local, state and national levels, which are designed by industry experts and showcase the nation’s top career and technical education students. Annual competitions are held in such skill categories as 3-D animation , automotive service technology , carpentry , cosmetology , criminal justice , culinary arts , electronics , entrepreneurship , HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), information technology , mechatronics , medical terminology, robotics, web design and welding . All of these skills are taught in VGCC programs.
The chapter will also provide students with opportunities for leadership, professional development, community service and social activities.
For more information on SkillsUSA at VGCC, contact Public Services department chair Steve Hargrove at hargroves@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3467.
Above: VGCC Computer Education program head/instructor Faith Harris (standing) helps Paralegal Technology student Caisha Renee Vann of Henderson sign up to join the SkillsUSA chapter. (VGCC photo)
