Make48 and SkillsUSA Partner for a Groundbreaking Competition at the 2026 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) Conference
- Make48+Team
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Kansas City, MO (April 15, 2026) – SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organization for students, is set to host a groundbreaking Make48 competition at its National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia. From June 1-5, 2026, the Georgia World Congress Center will transform into a hub of rapid prototyping, creativity and real-world problem solving, all while being filmed.
This partnership marks a significant evolution in career and technical education, merging hands-on learning with the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.“By bringing the Make48 challenge to this stage, we’re showing students that the skills they’re mastering in the classroom are the same tools needed to solve the world’s biggest problems,” said Tom Gray, CEO and Co-Founder of Make48. “We want every student to realize that they don't just have to be a user of technology–they can be leading innovators by using their skills in the trades, what their familiar with and have a passion for.”
The Biggest Stage Yet
The SkillsUSA-Make48 challenge will feature teams from the Innovation Classroom Experience initiative, bringing together diverse and talented SkillsUSA students from across the country including: Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina, Missouri, and the host state, Georgia.
Over the course of three days, these students will be tasked with solving a real-world challenge. They will build their ideas on the NLSC exhibit floor, but not alone. Make48 ‘Tool Techs’, industry experts who help bring ideas to life, will be at the competition to make sure the teams will have a working prototype by the deadline.
Every moment of the intense journey will be captured by the Make48 film crew and featured on the This Old House Makers Channel on Roku, showcasing the students' grit and innovation to a global audience. Beyond the build, teams are competing for a significant reward. At stake is a $2,000 cash prize, as well as an exclusive invitation to advance to the Make48 National competition in late fall 2026 for a larger cash prize.
With Atlanta serving as the home of SkillsUSA’s NLSC through 2033, this collaboration sets a new standard. It’s no longer just about knowing the trade, but about having the confidence to innovate within it. “This competition promises to be the largest event in Make48’s 10-year history. But it’s more than just about building,” adds Gray. “Its about building confidence to say, I have a big idea, and I know how to make it real.”
Stay tuned for more updates as we head toward Atlanta 2026!
###
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About Make48
Make48 is a nationwide invention competition docuseries that challenges teams to turn their ideas into reality in just 48 hours. During the three-day event, participants must design a prototype, create a promotional video, and prepare a sales sheet to present their concept to a panel of judges. Teams have access to a state-of-the-art makerspace, skilled Tool Techs who can bring almost any vision to life, as well as patent attorneys, marketing experts, and other invaluable resources. This unique format ensures a level playing field, where creativity and teamwork shine, making it accessible to everyone—no prior technical expertise is required.
Make48 Media Contact:
Cassandra Muñoz