Pitch for the Skilled Trades

What is considered a skilled trade?

The definition of skilled trade is fairly broad and includes but is not limited to: industrial millwright, marine technology, welding, HVAC, carpentry & construction, aerospace & aviation, collision repair, automotive technology, diesel technology, truck driving, and advanced manufacturing. Strongest consideration will be given to skilled trades in high-demand areas.

From building tiny houses to entre”manure”ship; to creating a drone program for agriculture and increasing oyster farming, EV electric vehicles, robotic and hydraulics, personal services, allied health, etc.

Amounts are varied.

Faculty, staff, and administrators from NACCE member colleges. At least one "pitcher" on the project must be registered for the NACCE Annual Conference in Bloomington, MN – Sunday, October 13 to Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and be available to participate in-person in the final round of pitch competition.

The project must have the support of your community college president and other members of the leadership team.

Who else at my college should know about this project?

In addition to your typical procedures, be sure to confirm that your college’s grants management, foundation departments, and/or legal office are aware of the project. Grant checks should be managed through the college foundation.

 

Logistics & Monetary Winnings - What should I expect if I win regarding the receipt of funds?

The Ratcliffe Foundation and NACCE wish to disperse the winning funds within 60 days of the final competition results that is held at the Annual National Conference. Please notify the business office, foundation department, and/or legal department of the possibility of receiving an MOU from NACCE and the requested quick turnaround; for the funds to be dispersed in a timely manner.

In addition to your typical procedures, be sure to confirm that your college’s grants management and/or foundation departments are aware of the project. Grant checks should be managed through the college foundation.

Yes, multiple applications will be considered, however, only one team per college may be selected for a cash award. NACCE looks forward to hearing about the vast and diverse work you are proposing at your institutions.

The definition of skilled trade is fairly broad and includes but is not limited to: industrial millwright, marine technology, welding, HVAC, carpentry & construction, aerospace & aviation, collision repair, automotive technology, diesel technology, truck driving, and advanced manufacturing. Strongest consideration will be given to skilled trades in high-demand areas

What are the requirements of the pitch?

In the semi-final round, you have three-minutes to tell us your story; make it compelling and unique to your situation. Pitches in the final round are also held for three-minutes. Pitches are to be conducted “in-person” by a single pitcher or as a team effort. We are looking forward to seeing that your proposal is fiscally sound. We are not looking for a fully vetted business plan at this point. The scoring rubric that is being used for this competition is posted on this website Pitch for the Skilled Trades for your review.

Yes, but it cannot be for the full three-minutes to encompass the full presentation. And please be aware of there could be unexpected technical difficulties. The difficulties will count as part of the three-minutes. We strongly suggest to have an alternative plan if the short video is not available for use in the presentation.

Does the project need to have a fully vetted business plan behind it at this point? We are looking to see that your proposal is fiscally sound.

The scoring rubric that is being used for this competition is posted on the Pitch for the Skilled Trades page for your review.

• Competitive projects are those that demonstrate the “greatest” economic impact on the local level with respect to jobs created, employment obtained, income earned, businesses launched, and return on investment.
• The pitch will be conducted virtually as a team for the semi-final round.
• The pitch will be conducted in person either as a single presenter or as a team if selected for the final round at the NACCE Annual Conference.
• The proposal is fiscally sound. Along with, how will the project be fiscally sustainable in the future? Make it compelling and unique to your situation consider matching from business stakeholders in the community or other in kind donations of equipment.

Consider key indicators such as Employment, Economic Vitality, Job Creation, Return on Investment, Earning Potential, Entrepreneurial Activity

A benefit of your project may be the creation of one or more businesses, but it is not necessary to participate in Pitch for the Skilled Trades. Our primary goal is to solve the labor shortage in the skilled trades by expanding opportunities for training and apprenticeships at the local level.

Each winning team will be required to submit and engage in:

Focus of the Pitch Presentation

• Here is an overview of the questions to answer in the three-minute presentation:

  1. Pitch Project Title
  2. Contact information for the application & institution.
  3. Pitch Project Description (short overview)
  4. What problem or challenge is this project working to solve for the institution and/or community?
  5. How might your project provide a solution to the problem or challenge?
  6. What will it take for you to successfully implement this project?
  7. How much total funding is required to implement your project?
  8. How much funding are you requesting with your pitch?
  9. What other sources of funding have you identified?
  10. What is the total budget? Broken down to high-level components (Supplies, equipment, and required student materials/uniforms/tools, etc.)
  11. If awarded funding, how is this amount reflected in that budget?
  12. Please note that positions are not funded with awarded amounts.
  13. What is the anticipated timeline implementation?
  14. How will the project be sustained financially into the future?
  15. How many students will be served by academic year, semester, etc.?
  16. If you can project, how many jobs will be created?
  17. If you can project, will any businesses be launched and if so, how many?
  18. What skills and/or certifications will students gain to be job ready?
  19. What are your key indicators and how will they be measured?
  20. Please note the use of Acronyms (PFST, MDI, NASA, etc.) in your presentations. You know what they mean and how it relates to your project. But the audience may not be knowledgeable. Please say the complete words (Pitch for the Skilled Trades, Multiple Document Interface or Merchants Distributors, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, etc.).

Pitch Deck        Judging Rubric

Details of the economic impact the project will have on the local community, such as students touched, jobs created, employment obtained, income earned, and businesses launched.

• Are there jobs available in your community that support this project? Or would this project create new jobs?
• How many students will receive this training/use the equipment/utilize this training space?
• Would the outcome of this project raise funds? If so, how will those funds be used?
• Would the project launch a new business? Would the project result in entrepreneurship for students?

The 3 Minute Presentation for the Semi-Final and Finals

Must be complete, concise, organized, compelling and engaging presentation/story. Create a Contingency Plan if the technology does not work.

Ideas and suggestions?

Yes, a skit can be performed, or it can be a formal presentation.

The judges have five minutes after the presentation to ask questions.

The three-minute presentation will be timed and asked to stop if you run over.

A pitch coach will be available for practice before the semi-final presentation via zoom. And, on site at the National Conference if selected as a finalist.