Apprentice to CEO: Global trades advocate headlines NOVA’s SkillsUSA Kickoff
from https://www.nvcc.edu/about/news/press-releases/2026/NOVA-SKILLSUSA-KICKOFF.html
Keynote speaker Boyd Worsham traces his path from the job site to executive leadership, inspiring future craft professionals.
October 5, 2026
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Oct. 5, 2026 — Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) hosted its second annual SkillsUSA Kickoff on Oct. 1 at the Woodbridge Campus, positioning technical education at the heart of Northern Virginia’s economic expansion.
“Demand for skilled trades has never been higher, making SkillsUSA at NOVA essential for building tomorrow’s workforce leaders,” said keynote speaker Boyd Worsham, president and CEO of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, ahead of the event. “Starting as a carpenter apprentice right out of high school completely changed my life, proving the power of hands-on training and real mentorship. NOVA is connecting students directly with high-reward career paths.”
A 10-year member of SkillsUSA's National Carpentry Technical Committee, Worsham came to NOVA fresh off representing the United States at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai — demonstrating to students how technical credentials open doors to global leadership.
Student Excellence and Leadership
NOVA’s SkillsUSA chapter provides a direct bridge between classroom study and high-wage careers in Northern Virginia’s industrial and technology sectors. At the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June, NOVA student JR Bontrager earned a national gold medal in engineering.
