FAQ

FAQ

Are the SkillsUSA Career Essentials Suite resources only for SkillsUSA members?

No way! Our resources serve one purpose, and that is to equip learners with the employability skills they will need in any career.  These curricular resources are used by all kinds of teachers and students and we know you’ll benefit, too.

Students who are members of SkillsUSA receive additional opportunities to apply and practice their skills through chapter events, and we’d be happy to talk with you about how to get a SkillsUSA chapter established in your local school.

At what reading level are the Experience courses written?

Exploratory: 5th-6th grade reading level
Fundamental: 6th-7th grade reading level
Advanced: 7th-8th grade reading level
Adult Learner: 7th-8th grade reading level

Can I use Perkins funding to purchase resources in the Career Essentials Suite?

Likely! Each state has its own plan for how their Perkins money will be spent. Make sure you check with your state CTE director to understand your state’s plan. We would be happy to help you explore the Perkins plan in your state as well. For assistance with this, contact Gene Dudley at gdudley@skillsusa.org.

How long does each course take to complete


The fundamental, advanced, and adult learner courses each contain 50 hours of planned student time. This estimated time is students’ time and may not necessarily be classroom time. Consider … what work might your learners do outside of your classroom? These courses provide great opportunity for flipped and differentiated instruction.

The exploratory course includes 35 hours of planned student time and includes an additional 15 hours of suggested expansion ideas if you have more time available.

The Experience courses may be integrated into other coursework, used in a homeroom setting, implemented as standalone courses, integrated into a campus orientation class, completed as independent study, and more.

How many student contact hours are required for each course?

Exploratory

    • approximately 40 minutes per day to complete in 9 weeks (a quarter)
    • may be expanded over an academic semester or year

Fundamental

    • approximately 25-30 minutes per day to complete in 18 weeks (a semester)
    • may be expanded over an academic year

Advanced

    • approximately 30-35 minutes per day to complete in 18 weeks (a semester)
    • may be expanded over an academic year

Adult Learner

    • approximately 30-35 minutes per day to complete in 18 weeks (a semester)
    • may be expanded over an academic year or up to a full calendar year

I have a question not answered here. Now what?

We’d love to hear from you! Feel welcome to fill out this form to submit your question or thought and one of our Career Essentials coaches will be in touch with you very soon. Alternatively, you may also email us at admin@mycareeressentials.org.

I teach college/postsecondary students. Which resources are right for my learners?

Traditional first-year college students and even early second-year college students will enjoy the advanced course, while students who begin college later in life or who are further into their college experience will enjoy the adult learner course. Starting any of these learners with the Career Ready Pre-Assessment and engaging them in the Career Ready Post-Assessment is a high-quality way to obtain data that demonstrates their growth as well.

I teach middle school students. What resource is best for them?

Middle school students will benefit most from the exploratory course. There are lots of opportunities for them to collaborate with peers while they develop skills to build high-quality relationships, to transition successfully to high school, to define employability skills, and to explore career options.

Once I purchase an Experience course, how long do I have access to it?

All four courses are available for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

What ages is the content of the Career Essentials: Experiences courses written for?

Exploratory: ages 12 to 14
Fundamental: ages 14 to 16
Advanced: ages 17 to 19
Adult Learner: ages 20+

What credentials are available in association with the Career Essentials Suite resources?

Exploratory Micro-credential
This micro-credential is earned when students achieve a minimum score of 80% on the exploratory course and its assessment.

Fundamental Micro-credential
This micro-credential is earned when students achieve a minimum score of 80% on all units of the fundamental course and its assessment.

Career Essentials Credential
This industry-validated credential is earned when learners who are juniors in high school or older achieve a minimum score of 80% on all units of the advanced or adult learner course and the Career Ready assessment.

Do you have a local business you think would be interested in offering their validation of the Career Essentials Credential? We’d love to connect with you and them and share how they can express their support of the critical skills found within the SkillsUSA Framework. Contact us at careeressentials@skillsusa.org to learn more.

What is the cost of the Career Essentials Suite resources?

Exploratory Curriculum Bundle (for ages 12-14) – $25

    • Exploratory Pre-Assessment
    • Exploratory Experiences Course
    • Exploratory Post-Assessment

Fundamental Curriculum Bundle (for ages 14-16) – List price: $60 / Member price: $30

    • Fundamental Pre-Assessment
    • Fundamental Experiences Course
    • Fundamental Post-Assessment

Advanced Curriculum Bundle (for ages 17-19) – List price: $65 / Member price: $35

    • Career Ready Pre-Assessment
    • Advanced Experiences Course
    • Career Ready Post-Assessment

Adult Learner Curriculum Bundle (for learners over age 20) – List price: $65 / Member price: $35

    • Career Ready Pre-Assessment
    • Adult Learner Experiences Course
    • Career Ready Post-Assessment

Individual Items for Purchase

    • Career Ready Pre-Assessment – List price: $22 / Member price: $12
    • Career Ready Post-Assessment – List price: $22 / Member price: $12
    • Technical Assessments – List price: $22 / Member price: $12
    • Advanced Experiences Course – List price: $25 / Member price: $15
    • Adult Learner Experiences Course – List price: $25 / Member price: $15

Why do the names of the units in each course not appear in the SkillsUSA Framework?

Each unit incorporates multiple Essential Elements and students learn how multiple skills work together to achieve more than any one skill on its own. The unit names reflect the relationships between multiple Essential Elements. For example, the Reliability unit within the fundamental course incorporates integrity, responsibility, and professionalism. These three Essential Elements, when all working together, lead to a person demonstrating that they are reliable.