Area 30 celebrates career and technical education month

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, and Area 30 Career Center is celebrating the opportunity to recognize and applaud CTE schools in our state and across the nation.

The theme this year is "Celebrating CTE Superheroes." There are many 'Superheroes' in the nation's CTE programs. CTE Superheroes include, teachers, postsecondary schools, communities, businesses, employers and above all, students.

Career and technical education prepares students for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities. These careers may require varying levels of education -- including industry -- recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates and two- and four-year degrees.

High school CTE programs develop strong postsecondary partnerships, enabling clear pathways to certifications and degrees. Many CTE programs offer dual credit opportunities in which students can earn both high school and college credit. CTE is at the forefront of preparing students to be college and career ready.

Students in CTE classes at Area 30 Career Center and across the nation are applying core academic knowledge to real world problems. CTE coursework is relevant learning that engages students and makes the connection between what they learn and what a future career demands.

Today's CTE coursework requires understanding core academics applied in relevant, real-world applications. In fact, the applied academics of CTE are the kind of skill-building every student needs regardless of their plans after high school, be it the workforce, military, technical college or a two- or four-year degree.

One element of CTE programs that make them so successful is their partnerships with business and industry. As any savvy business leader knows, to be pro-business, you have to be pro-education. With high youth unemployment rates and employers struggling to find skilled workers, the focus on CTE is a reliable route to a skilled workforce that provides family-supporting jobs.