LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — To raise awareness of skilled trade careers and to help close the U.S. skills gap, SkillsUSA and Klein Tools hosted the inaugural SkillsUSA National Signing Day. The event celebrated nearly 3,000 high school seniors dedicated to pursuing a career in residential wiring, building trades and renovations, HVAC or plumbing, at hundreds of schools across the nation.

Local communities, school administrators, teachers, elected officials, SkillsUSA advisors, family and celebrated the students for making the decision to pursue a career or continuing education in the skilled trades. Similar to “National Signing Day” events for high school student athletes, seniors announced their career plans and signed “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize nearly 3,000 high school seniors from nearly 300 schools across the country for their commitment to the skilled trades,” says Mark Klein, co-president of Klein Tools. “These students will make a big impact on the U.S. labor market and will help to close the skills gap impacting our country today. We hope that by raising awareness of the many career options in the skilled trades, we will have even more students signing their ‘letters of intent’ next year.”

“It is great to see our students honored for their hard work and commitment to a fulfilling career in the skilled trades,” says Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “Thanks to Klein Tools for sponsoring our first-ever National Signing Day. We look forward to watching this program grow for many years to come.”

Publication date: 6/6/2019

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