February Is Career & Technical Education Month
Marshall County Schools will be observing Career and Technical Education Month in February by highlighting the benefits provided to students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study, along with planned activities and events during the month.
The following Programs of Study are offered to 9-12 graders at Cornersville School, Forrest School, Marshall County High School and Spot Lowe Technology Center: Ag Engineering, Ag Business, Environmental & Natural Resources Management, Human & Social Science, Automotive, Business Management, Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Health Science, Manufacturing, Machining, Office Management, Teaching as a Profession, Vet Science, and Welding.
Marshall County Mayor Keny with a proclamation declaring February as CTE month with CTE students.
Additionally, Lewisburg Middle School and Forrest Middle School have a Career Exploration class that utilizes Paxton/Patterson labs as a way for students to discover interests and aptitudes so they can take powerful, purposeful next steps.
Career and Technical Education provides students with career exploration opportunities, hands-on experience, and a rigorous, relevant curriculum designed to prepare students for postsecondary education as well as careers in highly-skilled, high-paying sectors. Students in the Management & Administration programs of study can also earn an industry-recognized certification. Students in Welding, Machining and Industrial Maintenance are eligible to earn the state’s Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction.
Local industries are instrumental in providing experience to Marshall County CTE students by participating in Work-Based Learning, internships, and apprenticeships, while area community colleges and technical schools offer dual enrollment and dual credit. These opportunities help provide students with employability skills needed to prepare for in-demand career fields.
“Our CTE department gives students an opportunity to experience a wide range of careers and potentially find a field they would like to pursue after high school,” states CTE Director Frank Musgrave. “We are very fortunate to have such a supportive community and local industries that are happy to provide guest speakers, tours of their facilities, work-based learning experiences, and apprenticeships to help bridge the gap between high school and high demand jobs.”
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in the district, another component of CTE, include SkillsUSA; Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); and Future Health Professionals (HOSA), each led by a CTE instructor as the advisor. CTSOs help to develop employability competencies such as leadership, responsibility, independence, confidence and networking skills. CTSO students may also participate in competitions, which are judged by industry volunteers on the regional, state and national levels. CTSOs seek to showcase and reward students for excellence, involve industry in directly evaluating student performance, and keep classroom training relevant to employers’ needs.
