SkillsUSA Names CACTC Guidance Counselor 'Adviser of the Year'

A guidance counselor at the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center has been named 2012 Adviser of the Year by SkillsUSA Rhode Island.

Lori Velino is "a shining example of the passion and enthusiasm necessary to better prepare students for successful careers," said U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin.

SkillsUSA picked Velino for this year's award because of her commitment to community service and "leading her students in projects and activities that help the community," according to a release. She has already received the Presidential Volunteer Service award, which was given at last year's national SkillsUSA Conference.

Velino, who possesses a masters of arts in teaching and a guidance certificate, started working with SkillsUSA seven years ago by helping with leadership competitions.

"Lori is an outstanding role model for the students of SkillsUSA RI because of her strong work ethic,” said SkillsUSA RI Executive Director Josh Klemp. “She goes above and beyond her duties as an adviser. We appreciate the time and talent she lends to the SkillsUSA RI organization.”

The award is given annually to career and technical education instructors who serve as SkillsUSA advisers. Velino was nominated by her peers in the career and technical education community in Rhode Island.

One state winner will be selected as National Advisor of the Year at a conference in June.

“I commend Josh Klemp for his work to recognize the outstanding Rhode Island educators who are leading the way in a critical area of workforce development,"  Langevin said. “We must improve the job training our students receive to better align with the needs of growing industries, and it is important to highlight effective models. The programs with which Lori is involved in Cranston can help schools throughout the state offer the most beneficial career and technical education.”

Earlier this month, Langevin kicked off his RISE Tour at Coventry High School’s Regional Career and Technical Center, where he held a discussion with students and instructors about the benefits of their CTE programs and toured their facilities. Along with his fellow co-chair of the CTE Caucus, Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Langevin is leading a bipartisan effort in Congress to restore funding to the Perkins Act, which gives career and technical students nationwide access to the latest technology, equipment, and training to prepare them for high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand job fields.

SkillsUSA Rhode Island is the largest career and technical student organization in the state. More than 6,500 high school students and teachers are members. The group is partnered with local industries with the intent of building a stronger workforce.