Immersive Experience: Construction

June 2–4, 2026 | National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC)

Immersive Experience: Construction is a three-day, hands-on workforce development program at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference that allows students to experience the job before they get the job through authentic, industry-led learning.

Participants will:

  • Participate in live construction site visits and guided Lowe’s store walkthroughs

  • Apply technical skills through interactive, scenario-based construction challenges

  • Engage directly with construction employers and industry professionals during an employer insights panel

  • Build employability skills such as teamwork, communication, and professionalism in real-world settings

  • Earn an industry-recognized credential to strengthen career readiness and occupational identity

Travel Grant Application

We are offering NLSC Travel Grants in two phases to ensure students from all states have an equal opportunity to apply.

APPLY TODAY

Sponsored by:

Participation is limited to up to 100 SkillsUSA student members.

Who Can Register

  • High School SkillsUSA Student Members

  • College/Postsecondary SkillsUSA Student Members

Program Enrollment Required

  • Building Trades & Renovations

  • Carpentry

  • Electrical

  • HVACR

  • Plumbing

Participants may NOT be registered competitors or conference delegates.

Important Details

New opportunity for non-competitors!

  • Does your chapter have a student competing? Invite additional chapter members to participate in this experience! Non-competing students will be fully immersed in hands-on learning and fun, and their participation can help offset the chapter's overall student costs.

  • Chapters are responsible for all registration and hotel costs associated with this event.

  • Questions? Please contact Jordan Sewell at jsewell@skillsusa.org.

Travel Grant Opportunity

Sponsored by the Bosch Community Fund

Students may be eligible to apply for a travel grant to support their travel to NLSC for the Immersive Experience: Construction event.

A big thank you to Bosch Community Fund for gifting $75,000 in travel grant funds for the Immersive Experience: Construction event! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to help support your students to make it to NLSC!

Application Details 

  • Optional Essay (500 words or less)  

    • Describe your interest in or commitment to a construction career

    • Although no formal essay is required, consideration will be given to students who clearly explain how the funds would assist in their participation

  • Membership

    • Please upload proof of SkillsUSA membership for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Note: Funds are distributed to the school, not directly to the student.

Travel Grant Amounts 

Travel grant award amounts are estimates and may change based on the number of selected participants and their distance from the conference site. Final award amounts may differ from those shown below.

SkillsUSA Regions

  • Opens: February 24, 2026 

    Closes: April 24, 2026 

    Notification: May 8, 2026

  • Opens: April 25, 2026 

    Closes: May 15, 2026 

    Notification: May 22, 2026

You can find the list of states eligible for Phase 1 and Phase 2 by clicking this link.