Exciting new partnership

COABE and SkillsUSA Launch National Partnership to Expand SkillsUSA Chapters in Adult Education Programs Nationwide. Nearly $6 Million Investment Will Strengthen Talent Pipeline and Expand Opportunities for Adult Learners.

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About the Partnership

SkillsUSA and COABE have partnered to expand workforce development, career readiness and leadership opportunities for adult learners nationwide.

Through this partnership, adult education programs can establish SkillsUSA chapters that provide learners with access to career exploration resources, employability skill development, industry engagement opportunities and a nationally recognized framework for personal, workplace and technical skill growth.

Together, SkillsUSA and COABE are working to help adult learners prepare for careers, connect with employers, develop professional skills and achieve their personal and professional goals while equipping educators with practical tools, resources and professional development to support workforce readiness programming.

Adult education is a critical on-ramp to economic mobility and workforce participation.

By bringing SkillsUSA chapters into adult education programs nationwide, we are not only enhancing leadership and employability skills for our learners—we are strengthening the entire workforce ecosystem.

Questions: SkillsUSA@coabe.org |

888-442-6223

Employers

Employers are looking for talent that is skilled, adaptable, and work-ready. Together, we are building that pipeline.

Development

SkillsUSA chapters are known for developing technical, workplace, and personal skills aligned with employer needs.

Collaboration

Adult learners bring determination and life experience to the workforce, and through SkillsUSA chapters, they will gain the technical and employability skills employers demand.

Programs & Employers

For adult education programs, the initiative represents an opportunity to deepen career pathways, increase student engagement, and demonstrate measurable workforce outcomes. For employers, it signals a stronger, more aligned talent pipeline ready to meet industry demands.

Explore SkillsUSA Member Benefits

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 16 million members since its founding in 1965.

Learn More FAQ's

SkillsUSA affiliate members gain access to resources specifically designed to support adult learners and educators.

Member Benefits

SkillsUSA Pathful Workforce Development and Career Readiness Platform

Connect learners with career exploration tools, industry professionals, virtual workplace experiences, resume-building resources, scholarships and employment opportunities.

SkillsUSA Framework Essential Element E-Modules

Develop personal, workplace and technical skills through self-paced online learning aligned to employer expectations.

Adult Learner Work-Based Learning Resources

Access ready-to-use resources that help educators integrate career readiness, workplace experiences and employer engagement into their programs.

Industry-Driven Engagement

Connect learners directly with employers, workforce professionals and industry partners through virtual and local engagement opportunities.

Credentialing Opportunities

Provide learners with opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials that validate skills and strengthen employability.

Professional Development for Educators

Participate in training sessions, onboarding opportunities and implementation support designed specifically for adult education programs.

Start Your Chapter

Tuesday | July 28 | 3:00 PM EST

Step 1: Attend the SkillsUSA | COABE Launch Town Hall

COABE is excited to partner with SkillsUSA to offer an exclusive pilot opportunity for COABE member programs. Join us for an upcoming SkillsUSA Town Hall to learn how your program can become involved and help prepare adult learners for career success.

During this interactive session, you'll hear about:

A welcome from COABE and SkillsUSA leadership
Why SkillsUSA is a valuable partner for adult education
SkillsUSA member benefits, including access to SkillsUSA Pathful
How to start a SkillsUSA Affiliate Chapter
Pilot Affiliate Chapter Grants and support available to participating programs
Live Q&A with the COABE and SkillsUSA teams

Available July 28th, 2026

Step 2: Join SkillsUSA

Complete your affiliate membership registration and activate your chapter.

Join SkillsUSA: https://register.skillsusa.org/COABE (Available July 28th)

Affiliate Membership Pricing
1-1,000 Learners | $6 per learner
1,001-5,000 Learners | $5 per learner
5,001+ Learners | $4 per learner

Professional Affiliate Membership: $20 per educator

Step 3: Launch Your Chapter

Once affiliated, you'll gain access to onboarding resources, implementation guides, professional development opportunities and member benefits designed specifically for adult education programs.

Need Help?

The SkillsUSA Customer Care Team is available to assist with registration, chapter setup and member support.

Phone: 844-875-4557 | Email: customercare@skillsusa.org | Online: register.skillsusa.org

Customer Care Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

Apply for the Pilot Affiliate Chapter Cohort

As part of the new partnership between SkillsUSA and COABE, a limited number of adult education programs will be selected to join the Pilot Affiliate Chapter Cohort during the 2026-27 program year. This inaugural cohort will work closely with SkillsUSA and COABE to launch Affiliate Chapters, provide valuable feedback, share promising practices and help build a sustainable model for adult education programs nationwide.

To support implementation, each selected pilot program may receive up to $2,500 in Chapter Startup Grant funding to establish and grow its SkillsUSA Affiliate Chapter. As a member of the Pilot Affiliate Chapter Cohort, participating programs will also receive ongoing implementation support, professional development opportunities and the chance to help inform the future expansion of SkillsUSA within adult education

Grant funds may be used for:

Student Affiliate Memberships
- 1-1,000 learners: $6 per learner
- 1,001-5,000 learners: $5 per learner
- 5,001+ learners: $4 per learner
Professional Memberships:$20 per educator
SkillsUSA educational resources, including instructional materials, curriculum resources and program implementation tools.

Grant funds must be fully utilized by May 1, 2027. Any unused funds remaining after this date will expire and may not be reallocated to the recipient program.

Grant Timeline

July 28, 2026: Applications Open
Sept. 15, 2026: Applications Close
Sept. 30, 2026: Award Notifications
October 2026: Chapter Launch Webinar
October 2026-June 2027: Chapter Implementation
June 2027: Impact Reports Due

Ideal Applicants

Programs that demonstrate:

Commitment to workforce readiness
Interest in developing leadership opportunities for adult learners
Strong employer and community partnerships
Readiness to launch and sustain a SkillsUSA chapter

Apply for a Startup Grant: [Here]

Questions about grants or chapter startup opportunities may be directed to the SkillsUSA Customer Care Team.