| VICA is a national
organization for trade, industrial, technical and health occupations students in public
high schools, vocational centers, area vocational schools and two-year colleges. VICA
has almost a quarter million student members annually, organized into more Than 12,000
chapters and 54 state and territorial associations (including Puerto Rico, Guam
and the Virgin Islands)VICA prepares America's high performance workers. It
provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship
and
character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and
communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards,
superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. VICA
also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community
service
activities. Approximately 15,000 teachers and school administrators serve as
professional VICA members and instructors. More than 300 corporations, trade associations
and labor unions actively support National VICA through financial aid, in-kind
contributions, and involvement of their people in VICA activities. Many more work directly
with state associations and local chapters
VICA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students
demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. During the annual national-level Skills
USA Championships, more than 3,500 students compete in 57 occupational and
leadership skill areas. VICA programs also help to establish industry standards for job
skill training
in the classroom. The VICA Total Quality Curriculum enhances VICA's Quality at Work
movement by preparing students for the world of work starting in the classroom. The
curriculum emphasizes the competencies and essential workplace basic skills identified
by employers and the U.S. Secretary of Labor's Commission on Achieving Necessary
Skills (SCANS).
The Professional Development Program is a self-paced curriculum for secondary
and
college students. It teaches skills such as effective communication and management,
teamwork, networking, workplace ethics, job interviewing and more. The curriculum involves
local industry and academics and can be used in day-trades, apprenticeship training,
cooperative education, school-to-work, academic and special needs programs.
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