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.
“Winning gold gave me valuable insight into what I can accomplish,” Bontrager said. “As a first-time participant, I cannot express the new level of confidence I have in my abilities and the support system established at NOVA.”
Sean Loewenstein, a NOVA student and president of the college's SkillsUSA chapter, emphasized the value of campus leadership: “While an education teaches content, real-world experience teaches application like no other. Leadership, professionalism and communication skills are built when you step up to execute shared goals, and those qualities are just as important as technical abilities.”
Expanding Regional Capacity: The 2027 Manassas Skilled Trades Center
To meet regional demand across data center, energy and construction sectors, NOVA’s Manassas Skilled Trades Center is scheduled to open in spring 2027. This state-of-the-art facility will expand training in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, electric vehicle and hybrid technologies, diesel power generation and high-tech industrial systems.
“The timing of NOVA’s new Manassas Skilled Trades Center is spot on,” Worsham said. “Expanding high-tech training capacity right here in Northern Virginia is exactly what our industry needs to meet the critical demand for skilled craft professionals.”
Empowering Students Through SkillsUSA
Founded in 1965 as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, SkillsUSA is a national organization connecting students, educators and industry partners to prepare high school and college students for high-demand trade, technical and skilled service careers. By combining hands-on technical training with leadership development, communication and workplace skills, SkillsUSA helps students graduate job-ready, equipped to fill crucial workforce gaps across the nation.
For more information on NOVA’s SkillsUSA chapter, visit NOVA’s IET Student Clubs page.
Media Contact: Kathy Parkinson | 703-577-2828 | kparkinson@nvcc.edu
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About Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College is the largest public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America’s largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 76,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge and through NOVA Online. For more information about NOVA and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit NOVA’s website.
About NCCER
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit education foundation and the leading provider of construction education for industry and career and technical education programs. With flexible workforce development and learning solutions, NCCER’s programs provide consistency and quality to ensure craft professionals and learners receive industry-recognized credentials and certifications. To learn more, visit www.nccer.org.
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