Washington Leadership Training Institute
Members of SkillsUSA who are committed to developing their leadership potential. Interested students need to apply to participate. Applicants must articulate their leadership commitment by submitting information on previous experiences and leadership training. Acceptance of students is based on a history of involvement demonstrating a commitment to leadership development. Applicants should describe their active roles in school, community, church and/or other organizations.
September 21 - 24, 2025
TBD
You can download an application here. Applications are due in the state association director’s office by Aug. 8.
Registration may be completed online at by logging into: www.skillsusa-register.org/Login.aspx (this site will not be active until after Aug. 1)
Registration must be completed by the state association director by Aug. 29.
If you must cancel, the final deadline is Aug. 20.
The impact of the individual as a leader
- Developing influence: how to manage for success
- Communicating: how to deliver persuasive messages
- Leading others: how to delegate and motivate
The impact of the individual as a citizen
- Decision making: having an impact on a local event
- Serving the community: developing altruism and influence
- Legislating: how government leaders effect change
The impact of the individual as an employee
- Risk taking: a dialog about success and failure
- Facilitating growth: teaching and reinforcing employability in others
- Becoming a change agent: developing vision and exercising focus
- Congressional visits
- Guided tours
- Touring the Smithsonian Institution and Washington area monuments
- Laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington, Va.
- Pentagon Memorial Ceremony
- Opportunity to earn National Statesman award
- Tour of National Leadership Center
Like students, advisors will have opportunities to learn how to be change agents for career and technical education. Sessions for advisors will inspire advisors to lead the change process in their schools and districts, develop strategies to gain support for education issues, motivate supporters and learn from those who take risks.
Hotel
Hotel is the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport (13869 Park Center Rd. Herndon, VA 20171; 703-478-2900)
Hotel Cost
$350 per person. 4 students per room.
WLTI Registration
$450 per person.
Transportation
$125 per person: Travel in Rental SUV’s
Meals
$300 per person
The above cost includes souvenir T-shirt, awards, participant notebook, conference materials, bus transportation (two trips to Washington, one visit to National Leadership Center and Dulles airport shuttle), and eight meals at the hotel.
Note: SkillsUSA is not responsible for hotel accommodations. Rooming lists need to be submitted through state director.
Cancellation Policy: No refunds after Aug. 29th
WLTI Assignments
There are pre-conference assignments.
Note: For student participants, please remember to have your pre-conference assignments completed before the start of the conference. Please bring a hard copy of your paper and presentation on it with you!
WLTI Capitol Photo Congressional Visits
A highlight of WLTI is when students get the opportunity to visit with elected officials. It is the responsibility of each state association to make or coordinate visits and appointments for their delegation. You can download a sample appointment request letter here.
When arranging for congressional visits, email your letter of request directly to your official’s office, or fax or make a request by phone. Mail service has complex safety checks and is extremely slow.
Note: It is appropriate for each state/delegation to bring gifts (e.g. ball point pens, SkillsUSA pins, coffee mug) for each congressman/congresswoman and staff person visited.
WLTI Statesman Award
The coveted WLTI Statesman Award is presented each year to participants during WLTI who have demonstrated their leadership skills and have mastered certain requirements in leadership training.
You can download the requirements for the WLTI Statesman Award and begin preparing now.
What to Bring and Dress Code
Participants should bring SkillsUSA attire: Blazer, windbreaker or sweater, Black pants or skirts, Black socks/hosiery, Black professional shoes, Black ties (males only), white shirt. On the casual side, comfortable shoes, jeans, shorts, T-shirts; fun clothes, camera, spending money and sweater or jacket (September in Washington can be cool).
Dress for WLTI is as follows:
- Opening Session Dinner Saturday night – Official SkillsUSA attire
- Day of touring on Sunday – Casual (conference shirt)
- Day of training on Monday – business/casual (i.e. SkillsUSA logo polo and khakis)
- Congressional visits on Tuesday – Official SkillsUSA attire and comfortable black shoes
- Statesman Interviews and closing breakfast Wednesday – SkillsUSA attire, logo shirt or business attire: No jeans, flip flops or sweatsuits