2026 National Leadership and Skills Conference

20,000+ state champions, 105 skilled trades and technical contests

More than 20,000 outstanding career and technical education students from across the nation—all state contest winners—compete hands-on in 105 different trade, technical and leadership fields. Students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. Contests are run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by industry. Leadership contestants demonstrate skills including extemporaneous speaking and conducting meetings by parliamentary procedure.