Compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in 2027!
Make48 is a fast-paced product design competition where teams have just 48 hours to come up with an idea, build a working prototype, and pitch it to judges - all based on a real-world challenge from a sponsoring company. Teams don’t need any prior experience. They focus on ideas while skilled “Tool Techs” handle the fabrication using professional tools and makerspaces.
June 2-5, 2026
Complete Interest Form
During the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, complete the interest form at the Make48 booth. Make48 will email you the application form by the end of August 2026.
Aug 24-October 30, 2026
Complete Application Form
Make48 will only accept the first 40 applications submitted. Out of the 40 applications, 6 teams will be selected to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in 2027 and 2 teams will be selected as alternates.
December 1, 2026
Competing Teams Announced
Make48 will announce the six teams who will advance on to the Regional Play-off competition to take place at SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June 2027.
June 21-25, 2027
Regional Play-off Event
Six SkillsUSA teams from around the country will compete against each other during the 48 hour competition filmed for a national documentary series. The top 2 teams will advance on to Season 11 National Completion in Fall 2027.
FAQs
DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE SKILLSUSA REGISTRATION & PAY THE FEE?
If your team is chosen to compete, you will have to register for the conference separately and pay the $195 fee per person.
DO MY STUDENTS HAVE TO BE SKILLSUSA MEMBERS TO COMPETE?
Yes each of your students who want to compete in the Make48 competition at NLSC have to be SkillsUSA members.
CAN I COMPETE IN ANOTHER NLSC COMPETITION AT THE SAME TIME?
Your team is NOT able to compete in any other part of the NLSC competitions
WILL I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO USE POWER TOOLS?
Your team does NOT need to know how to build prototypes (there are tool techs on standby to build their ideas)