The exploratory Experiences course engages learners ages 12-14 (grades 6-9) to achieve four outcomes through project-based, blended learning, all focused around the 17 Essential Elements of the SkillsUSA. Students apply career readiness content to their current life events and think ahead  to their future careers. 

The exploratory course includes:

• nearly 70 learning events divided into four units.
• approximately 25 hours of designed lesson activities, and  approximately 25 hours of suggested  expansion activities, making the course customizable over a quarter, semester, school year, or a variety  of other time frames.
• four unit kickoff lessons, more than 20 e-learning modules and more than 40 project activities.

Students that complete the Exploratory course and  post-assessment at a level of  80%  earn the Exploratory micro-credential, indicating  their achievement of the objectives and goals of the course.

Exploratory Course Unit Map

The fundamental Experiences course provides a comprehensive structure for supporting secondary students in exploring, developing and practicing essential career-readiness skills, practices and mindsets. Each course unit provides a mix of independent and group-based activities that promote reflection, self-discovery and growth in personal, workplace and technical skills. The course is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of students exploring all career fields or occupations.

SkillsUSA Career Essentials: Experiences fundamental course has everything you need to give your students what they need to be career-ready

• Designed for students ages 14-16
• Nine Experience units that are project-based and include online and offline learning events
• Include a 30-minute instructor-led kickoff, student instruction sheets, instructor guides, online e-learning events, offline learning events, pre- and post-tests, and scoring rubrics
• Begin with a unit pre-test and an instructor-led kickoff and continue with individualized and differentiated pacing opportunities
• Include formative and summative assessments in each Experience unit
• May be taught synchronously or asynchronously in an online environment, face-to-face, or in a hybrid approach
• Badges are earned following successful completion of each Experience unit

Students earn the Fundamental micro-credential,  when course and post-assessment are  passed at 80%.

Fundamental Course Unit Map

The advanced Experiences course provides students with a meaningful, engaging mix of independent and group-based activities that promote reflection, critical reasoning, self-awareness and growth in personal, workplace and technical skills. The advanced course is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of  students exploring careers in all fields or occupational areas.

• Designed for students ages 17-19
• Course includes five workplace-based units and a Capstone authentic assessment unit, where learners develop a career readiness portfolio and interview materials and skills
• All units were created using project-based learning design best practices and include a 30-minute instructor-led kickoff, student instruction sheets, instructor guides, online e-learning events, offline learning events, a pre- and post-test, and scoring rubrics
• Includes formative and summative assessments in each unit
• May be taught synchronously or asynchronously in an online environment, face-to-face, or in a hybrid approach, with individualized and differentiated pacing opportunities
• Activities are mobile-responsive, so students can work on assignments using smartphones and tablets, and are  accessible for students with disabilities

Students earn badges following successful  completion of each Experience and the Career Essentials  credential, when course  and  post-assessment  are passed at 80%.

Advanced Course Unit Map

SkillsUSA Career Essentials: Experiences builds upon the life experiences of adult learners to help develop personal, workplace and technical skills. This course fits adults’ lifestyles and schedules while advancing their transferable employability skills — no matter their occupational area.

• Designed for learners age 20 and older
• Course includes five workplace-based units and a Capstone authentic assessment unit, where learners develop a career  readiness portfolio and interview materials and skills
• All units are project-based in design, and include instructor guides, learner instruction sheets, e-learning modules, pre-  and post-tests, and scoring rubrics
• Includes formative and summative assessments in each unit
• May be taught synchronously or asynchronously in an online environment, face-to-face, or a hybrid approach — and may use differentiation of strategy and pacing
• Learning events and units build sequentially to scaffold learning
• Activities are mobile-responsive and available on smartphones, tablets and computers; they are accessible to learners with disabilities

E-badges are earned following successful completion of each unit.   Learners earn the Career Essentials credential, when course and  post-assessment  are passed at 80%.

Adult Learner Course Unit Map