Photo by Craig Moore.
The 2025 Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) raised the bar, drawing 562 registrants from 29 states and serving as a powerful testament to its growing impact, national reach and the enthusiasm for leadership development.
A five-day immersive experience in Washington, D.C., WLTI combines advanced leadership and advocacy training for SkillsUSA students and advisors with powerful landmarks of our nation’s capital. Participants tour historic monuments, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, and perhaps most memorably, head to Capitol Hill to champion career and technical education (CTE) directly with their elected leaders.
As the conference kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 20, Executive Director Chelle Travis reminded the students of the importance of their visit to the nation’s capital.
“This week, you’ll have the awesome opportunity to advocate for SkillsUSA to your representatives on Capitol Hill,” she said. “When you meet with them, let them know that when they support SkillsUSA, when they support career and technical education, when they support YOU, they’re championing futures right along with us.”
With that in mind, the students were energized and eager for the rest of the week’s events.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the groups broke into huddles to hone their SkillsUSA Framework stories and work on the Essential Elements of professionalism, communication and leadership skills. Students also learned valuable lessons in advocating for CTE.
For the advisors in attendance, Travis provided an overview of SkillsUSA’s federal legislative priorities and policy agenda. Kevin Dowling, head of government affairs (United States) at 3M, prepared advisors to coach students through effective legislative meetings. He also provided tools and strategies to help students take ownership of their CTE story and advocate year-round.
State leaders and staff attended a session with Steve Voytek, Senior Policy Advisor at Foresight Law + Policy. Billed as a “working session,” state leaders explored how SkillsUSA programs and initiatives can influence policy and were guided through strategies for impactful legislative meetings.
During lunchtime, an advocacy panel featuring Voytek; Jimmy Koch, Government Relations Manager, ACTE; Saif Inam, Government Affairs Senior Manager, 3M; and Anthony Fakhoury, Communications Director, Office of U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, answered questions about advocacy for CTE.
Later in the afternoon, Zach Gifford from Pathful presented alongside SkillsUSA’s Program Manager Amanda Crawley on creating a student-centered approach to work-based learning. Another session featured Captain Gervy Alota, Director of Community Outreach, U.S. Navy Recruiting Command talked about the importance of leadership. The day concluded with a twilight tour of the Washington, D.C. monuments, featuring a moving closing message by the national officers at the Jefferson Memorial.
On Monday, Sept. 22 students and advisors prepared for Tuesday’s advocacy visits before heading out to tour Washington D.C.
SkillsUSA’s National Officer Team joined Travis for the Toolbelt Generation Lunch & Learn, a panel discussion featuring Travis, SkillsUSA National High School President Serenity Saterfield, Michael Stroik, Vice President, Community Impact at 3M, and Andrew Brown, creator and host of the Lost Art of Skilled Trades podcast. The panel was moderated by JJ Owen, Executive Director of the Skilled Careers Coalition.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the students were up early to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Afterwards, Capitol Hill was a sea of red jackets where students paused for a quick photo on the U.S. Capitol stairs before heading out to visit their congressional representatives to talk about the importance of CTE.
That evening, following a celebration dinner, 442 WLTI participants received their Statesman Award. During her remarks, Travis encouraged participants to take what they learned at WLTI back to their communities.
She encouraged them to share what they learned with others as well saying, “You may have heard the phrase, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ Well, with great skills comes great responsibility, too. Embrace that responsibility. Make an impact in your schools, workplaces and communities. Inspire others to do the same, and they’ll inspire even more. Let’s work together to empower more students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.”
Students, advisors, and state SkillsUSA directors all returned home Wednesday, Sept. 24, touched by a transformative conference — one that forged friendships, created lasting memories, and sharpened skills. Over many generations, SkillsUSA members have come to WLTI, carried their advocacy forward in their schools and communities, and now that torch has been passed to this newest class of emerging leaders.
The 2025 WLTI conference was sponsored by 3M, U.S. Navy and RB Global and was open to all members. The 2026 WLTI will be held Sept. 26-30, 2026 – Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
On the Web
• WLTI Statesman Awards Group Photos
