NEWTON GROVE — Justin Edgerton started his journey with SkillsUSA inside an automotive class and shop at Midway High School.
He got involved after his teacher Vernon Blackman made a suggestion for him to join and compete in the Career and Technical Education organization. The SkillsUSA program teaches leadership, citizenship and character development to complement technical skill training. It also emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety.
“I think it’s a great way for students to get more involved and to let their inner selves out so they can get to know more people,” he said. “It’s a way to express themselves.”
Now, the sophomore is looking forward to serving as a 2019-2020 state officer for North Carolina. He was one of seven high school students selected during the annual state leadership and skills conference. Next school year, Edgerton will join other students when they travel to events across North Carolina and the country to spread awareness about Career and Technical Education and SkillsUSA.
“It was a moment of shock, then a moment of relief as well,” Edgerton said about working toward the goal.
Last year, he served as a regional reporter for SkillsUSA and vice president for the Midway High School chapter. Next school year, his plans also involve being the president at the school.
To become a state officer, Edgerton had to complete an application process which took a few months to finish. During the conference, an interview process involved speaking in front of 3,000 people and delivering a speech. Edgerton also answered questions at a delegate session.
Positions such as president, treasurer and historian will be assigned before the end of the school year. SkillsUSA North Carolina Officers work together on developing educational conferences for nearly 6,000 members in the state. They will also visit business, industry representatives and legislative representatives.
“I think it’s a great way to know people,” he said. “I went from barely wanting to be in high school to having a good day every day just because you get to know more people. It’s a great way to socialize.”
SkillsUSA members use speaking and facilitating techniques to address career-readiness. Edgerton is one of many students benefiting from the communication aspects, which includes socializing with others.
“Now, I just talk to random people throughout the day and say ‘hey, how’s it going?’” he said about meeting more people in the school and the community.
Edgerton is also involved in FFA. After high school, Edgerton wants to become a welder. To prepare, he plans to take classes at Sampson Community College to earn certificates.
SkillsUSA serves more than 340,000 middle, high school, college and post-secondary students and their instructions by providing technical, skilled, and service occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA helps students discover and grow their career passions. Through a nationwide partnership of students, instructor and industry working together, the organization works to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce by developing personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics.
Hundreds of corporations, trade associations, business and labor unions show support for SkillsUSA. According to the organization, more than 13.5 million people have been members of the since it was founded as the Vocational Industrial Club of America in 1965.
