Families celebrated with their students on SkillsUSA Signing Day at a Lowe’s in Puyallup, Wash. Photo by Brooke Gatchell.
SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2025 brought an electric sense of pride and purpose to schools and communities across America on May 6. In a celebration that mirrors the excitement of athletic signing days, more than 3,500 SkillsUSA students signed letters of intent to launch careers in the skilled trades — a sector that forms the backbone of the American economy. National Signing Day was supported by SkillsUSA partners including the Lowe’s Foundation, 3M, State Farm and NAPA. For many students, Signing Day is the moment their passion becomes a profession.
From construction, electrical, welding and manufacturing to HVAC, automotive and beyond, SkillsUSA students are choosing careers that are in high demand, deeply meaningful and full of opportunity. Whether they are entering apprenticeships, heading directly into the workforce or continuing their education at technical colleges or universities, this day marks a major milestone in their professional journey.
“These students are the future of America’s workforce,” said SkillsUSA’s Executive Director Chelle Travis. “National Signing Day is about giving them the same recognition we give athletes, because building, repairing and innovating our country deserves just as much spotlight.” As the nation’s #1 workforce development organization for students, SkillsUSA is uniquely positioned to connect education and industry to train skilled, motivated professionals who are ready to meet workforce demands head-on.
This year’s event was the largest ever for SkillsUSA, with signing ceremonies held at about 200 schools across 44 states. Top participating states this year were Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Students were celebrated at their events by teachers, future employers, family members and the local media. Cheering them on were SkillsUSA’s national industry partners who are actively invested in working with the organization to help close the skills gap.
Across the country, SkillsUSA’s partners amplified the day by holding their own events, providing gifts of tools or scholarships to celebrated members and offering encouragement and support that reflect their commitment to SkillsUSA and the next generation of trades professionals.
Lowe’s Rolls Out the Blue Carpet
National partner Lowe’s Foundation hosted five unforgettable Signing Day celebrations at Lowe’s stores near SkillsUSA chapters in California, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Lowe’s recognized 41 students who were signing letters of intent to pursue a job, apprenticeship or further education.
In Puyallup, Washington, NFL quarterback Sam Darnold surprised students by making an appearance at their Signing Day, where he offered some meaningful words of encouragement. His respect for the trades is rooted in the fact that his dad is a career plumber. Darnold emphasized how critical skilled trades are to our nation. “These jobs are the backbone of our communities, and the people who do them deserve a whole lot more recognition. These students are stepping into a future that’s not only bright but absolutely vital to our communities,” Darnold told the students. Lowe’s employees from across the country even took the time to write and share personal messages to congratulate individual students on their big day.
Families celebrated with their students at SkillsUSA Signing Day at a Lowe’s in Puyallup, Wash.
For students like Tyler Cook, learning a skilled trade and then being recognized by industry felt amazing as he declared an intent on SkillsUSA National Signing Day to move forward in his career pathway. Cook is graduating from Belton High School (Texas) in Electrical Technology this year and plans to attend Texas State Technical College with a goal of entering an apprenticeship to become a master electrician. “You can’t go wrong with a trade. Electricians make good money and I think it is fun,” Cook says. “My instructors have been so supportive to me.”
See a list of the students recognized by the Lowe’s Foundation at their five Lowe’s store events.
3M Honors Saint Paul’s Rising Talent
Longtime SkillsUSA partner 3M hosted a signature Signing Day at Saint Paul College in Minnesota, home of the company’s global headquarters. The day featured a facility tour, skills exhibition and letter signing ceremony, capped by appearances from former Minnesota Viking Scott Studwell, 3M Vice President Garfield Bowen and college President Deidra Peaslee. The event spotlighted the critical role technical education plays in equipping students for pathways into high-growth careers and celebrated the partnership of industry and education to make that happen.
NAPA Recognizes Students at Braves Game
In Atlanta, NAPA took four local students to Truist Park for a Braves game to honor them for committing to careers in automotive technology. After a signing ceremony, students received Carlyle toolkits and enjoyed the baseball game from a private suite. Students honored by NAPA included Deisy Palomo Rios of Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy, entering the Ford ASSET Program at Gwinnett Tech; Aidan Williams of Forsyth Central High School, now a tech at RBM of Alpharetta; Cynthia Ramirez of Maxwell High School of Technology, an apprentice at Caliber Collision; and Judson Cliatt of West Laurens High School, pursuing Diesel Tech at Oconee Fall Line Tech College in Georgia. Deisy and Judson also received $2,500 scholarships.
The SkillsUSA students were presented with custom jerseys by NAPA and then enjoyed The Atlanta Braves game from an exclusive suite at Truist Park.
State Farm Letters Congratulate Hundreds of Signers
State Farm also celebrated with SkillsUSA students on Signing Day. SkillsUSA connected State Farm employees directly with student signers by creating a platform to allow State Farm representatives to write letters of congratulations to students. The State Farm reps could write to any student, or to students from a specific state. A total of 355 unique congratulatory messages were delivered by SkillsUSA to student signers on National Signing Day so they would feel the support of State Farm on their big day.
Celebrating Students, Building the Future
As the U.S. faces a shortfall of more than 600,000 skilled trades workers, National Signing Day is more than a symbolic event, it’s a solution in action. First launched in 2019, SkillsUSA National Signing Day was created to elevate the trades and shine a national spotlight on students committed to building the future with their hands and minds. It mirrors the prestige of athletic signings but instead honors those joining a different kind of team — the SkillsUSA and skilled trades team — one that powers, builds and repairs the systems our nation relies on every day.
On the Web
• See local stories and video highlights from SkillsUSA National Signing Day 2025.
• See our National Signing Day photo collection.
KARE Channel 11 coverage of SkillsUSA National Signing Day
