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SkillsUSA Graphic Communications National Championship

Graphic Communications Competition

Student competitors participate in an eight part contest related to the PrintED competencies defined by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation.

  • Digital Press Operations
  • Digital Workflow
  • Electronic Prepress
  • Finishing
  • Offset Press Operations
  • Production Planning
  • Oral Professional Assessment
  • Technical Knowledge Test

Technical Committee Volunteers

The Technical Committee updates the competition each year. Members who are suppliers or printers introduce their equipment, supplies, and company innovations to the best and the brightest students in graphic communications.

  • School Advisor
  • Judging
  • Logistical Support
  • Donations:
    • Equipment and Supplies
    • Monetary
    • Winners' Prize



Engaging Tomorrow's Workforce

Student contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. The philosophy of the Championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs. Other contests include the WorldSkills Competition, the opportunity to design the National Leadership and Skills Conference Pin and the chance to have your photography published in SkillsUSA Champions magazine.

Workforce Development: Creating the Future of Print Through SkillsUSA and APTech℠

APTech Podcast from The Printerverse

From real-life experience in a print shop, to honing interview skills and participating in a national competition, SkillsUSA is preparing tomorrow’s print industry workforce, today. Judy Durham, CAE, Executive VP, Operations and Membership at the Association for Print Technologies (formerly NPES), Dan Wheeler, SkillsUSA National Technical Committee Chairman, and SkillsUSA winner, Amela O’Gorman, Senior Customer Account Manager at Quad/Graphics share how the program works, the benefits to participating students and companies, and how you can get involved to support and secure the future of print.

The SkillsUSA competitions give students unique hands-on experience and familiarity with available technology in the graphic communications industry—an opportunity many students may not have. The real world exposure allows students to explore practical applications and discover areas of special interest for their post-secondary education or career.

Kip Jarrett, Account Manager, Heidelberg USA, Inc.