Launching a High School Youth Mentoring Program
Why a Mentoring Program?Follows “Grow your own” conceptProvides pool of potential
employeesMakes a difference in the lives of
youthHelps employees (mentors)
sharpen their skills, improve their communication techniques, and build self-esteem
Who is SkillsUSA?SkillsUSA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational
association serving more than 300,000 students and teachers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
Involvement with SkillsUSA gives employers a direct link with the educational system, producing an even exchange of benefits as students receive more relevant training and employers put better-prepared people to work.
SkillsUSA has helped develop more than nine million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators.
Why mentor SkillsUSA students?Students have an interest in skilled tradesActivities develop creativity, problem-
solving skills, teamwork, leadership, self-esteem and integrityall competencies and foundation skills
Introduces students to the dignity of work, high standards in trade ethics and workmanship, life-long learning and job safety
Helps bridge the school-to-workplace gap
Benefits to YouthImparts crucial skills (both job-related
and personal)Enriches and expands youths’ social
connectionsEnhances mentees’ self concept and
optimism about the futureStudents see the real-world application
of what they are learning in schoolStudies show improvement in students’
academic achievement
Next StepsMeet with SkillsUSA chapter
representatives and teachersSet program goals and objectivesEstablish program policies and
proceduresDevelop a program budgetCEWD/SkillsUSA mentoring toolkit
has everything we need to get started!