SkillsUSA Massachusetts was founded, originally called the Massachusetts Association of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (Massachusetts VICA). The goal of the organization still holds true today: to champion the essential skills needed to develop the next generation of career-ready leaders.

Massachusetts VICA welcomed a new executive director, Diane E. D’Olimpio, (Donaher) a former VICA member and State Officer from Quincy Vocational Technical School.

For the first time, the Massachusetts VICA State Leadership Conference was held in conjunction with the State Skill Olympics and featured an overnight conference.

Karen E. Spelta (Ward) was named executive director and began work in October 1983. Ward was a former VICA member and a State and National Officer from North-east Metro Tech.

Massachusetts VICA was incorporated on July 17, 1985. The first Chair of the Massachusetts VICA Board of Directors was Joseph E. Shea, Jr., manager of the Apprenticeship Operation at General Electric Company.

The Massachusetts VICA State Leadership Conference and Skill Olympics was held at Blue Hills RVTHS and the Sheraton Boston Hotel. This conference marked the first two-night overnight conference with an Opening General Session on Thursday evening.

This year also marked the beginning of two year commitments for hosting the State Leadership Conference and Skill Olympics and the creation of the Skill Olympics Management Team. The first director of the Massachusetts VICA Skill Olympics Management Team was George W. Thompson, an electronics teacher at Blue Hills RVTHS.

The “Chapter Advisor’s Handbook for Everyday Survival” was created for the management of a local VICA Chapter. This handbook was the creation of Bonnie Hilla, VICA advisor and advertising design teacher at Minuteman RVTHS, and Karen Ward, executive director.

The 1992 National Leadership Conference marked the end of the Department of Education’s role as the direct service provider for student organizations and saw Karen Ward, executive director, move into another role with the Department of Education.

Paul J. Viau, VICA Advisor at Montachusett RVTHS, was appointed as executive director.

In July, the Department of Education again resumed responsibility as the direct service provider for Massachusetts VICA and Karen Ward returned to the position of executive director.

The last State Leadership and Skills Conference to be organized under the Massachusetts VICA banner was held at the Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center in Fitchburg for the third and last time. At the state conference the House of Delegates voted to change Massachusetts VICA’s official name to Massachusetts SkillsUSA–VICA to comply with the national name change.

The first State Leadership and Skills Conference organized under the banner of Massachusetts SkillsUSA—VICA was held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough.

In the spring, Massachusetts SkillsUSA–VICA welcomed a new executive director, Karen DeCoster. Karen Ward assumed a new role as tech prep coordinator at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School.

In July of 2003 management of Massachusetts SkillsUSA–VICA was relocated from the Department of Education to Southeastern Regional School District under the direction of Karen Ward as executive director. Suzanne Raposo, a SkillsUSA–VICA alum and 1999–2000 state president was named as a full-time program development specialist for Massachusetts SkillsUSA—VICA.

SkillsUSA Massachusetts expanded to six districts to better serve its growing membership.

Thomas G. Paquette joined SkillsUSA Massachusetts as its new Director of Membership and Program Development. Chris Slavinskas and Carly Ward joined the Leadership Team as production assistants.

The 2020 State Leadership & Skills Conference was canceled due to the global health crisis of COVID-19. SkillsUSA Massachusetts pivoted to virtual experiences for the election of state officers. 385 delegates from Massachusetts participated in the election casting ballots electronically.

In addition, on June 17, 2020 SkillsUSA Massachusetts presented a Virtual Awards program and celebration on our maskillsusa.tv channel.

The 2021 State Leadership & Skills Conference was was offered in a hybrid format due to the global health crisis of COVID-19. SkillsUSA Massachusetts pivoted to a combination of project submissions and in-person experiences for contests and a virtual election of state officers. 385 delegates from our chapters participated in the election casting ballots electronically.

The 2022 State Leadership & Skills Conference was offered as an in person series of events on April 14, April 29 and May 13. The award ceremony honored all 2022 award winners, celebrated the experiences of 2021-2022 and honored the 2021-2022 state executive council.