SkillsUSA’s purposes, as defined by its members, include:

• To unite in a common bond all students enrolled in trade and industrial, technical, technology and health occupations education
• To develop leadership abilities through participation in educational, vocational, civic, recreational and social activities
• To foster a deep respect for the dignity of work
• To assist students in establishing realistic vocational goals
• To help students attain a purposeful life
• To create enthusiasm for learning
• To promote high standards in trade ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety
• To develop the ability of students to plan together, organize and carry out worthy activities and projects through the use of the democratic process
• To foster a wholesome understanding of the functions of labor and management organizations and a recognition of their mutual interdependence
• To create among students, faculty members, patrons of the school and persons in industrial, technical, technology and health occupations education
• To develop patriotism through knowledge of our nation’s heritage and the practice of democracy