Hunter Radford, a carpentry student at Blacksburg High School in was elected to serve as a SkillsUSA Region 2 Vice President of the High School division.
Radford was elected through a formal elections process in the SkillsUSA House of Delegates during the 53rd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Louisville, Ky., in June.
As SkillsUSA Regional Vice President, Radford will serve as a student leader, spokesperson and ambassador for the SkillsUSA organization. He will speak on behalf of SkillsUSA before students, instructors and representatives of business and industry. He will also represent the national organization at various events.
“Hunter has excellent leadership skills and a strong work ethic,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “He is also quick to recognize the importance of communications and teamwork when it comes to success.”
To run for a national office, SkillsUSA members must follow the election process for their local training program, school and state. Once they have made it to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, candidates must then pass a knowledge test, interview for candidacy and begin the campaign process to student delegates representing the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Becoming a National Officer and being in the SkillsUSA Organization has given me the opportunity to meet some many great leaders who have helped me consistently grow. They have pushed me to go further and to go for what I believe in. It has also led me to make new friends and become bonded with others who have the same drive and passion that I have. I believe SkillsUSA is such a great experience no matter how old you are or where you come from and I am dedicated in making sure others have the same opportunities that I have had as being a member,” Radford said.
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 335,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to: www.SkillsUSA.org.
