February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and the Randolph County School System wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to our Career and Technical Education staff, including Career Development Coordinators and Central Services support staff. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to prepare our students for the workforce and provide them with valuable opportunities to explore a wide variety of career paths. Through their efforts, they not only teach and mentor but also actively collaborate with community leaders, local businesses, and industry partners to ensure our students' success.
Career and Technical Education is essential for several reasons, making it a cornerstone of education in our schools. As the workforce continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals across various industries has never been higher. CTE programs equip students with practical, hands-on skills that are directly applicable to real-world jobs, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of today’s economy. By participating in CTE, students gain experience in a variety of fields ranging from healthcare and information technology to agriculture and skilled trades, helping them to make informed decisions about their future careers. These pathways lead to high-demand jobs that offer competitive salaries and job security, making it a vital part of our education system.
In addition to preparing students for employment, CTE promotes the development of critical soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. These skills are invaluable not only in the workforce but also in students' personal lives. CTE students are often exposed to internships, apprenticeships, and job-shadowing opportunities that allow them to build professional networks, giving them a head start in their chosen fields.
Through CTE, our schools are preparing the next generation of workers, innovators, and leaders. These programs bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring our students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are proud of our Career and Technical Education staff and all they do to help our students become workforce-ready and successful in their future careers.
The RCSS CTE Department is comprised of 69 teachers and 9 Career Development Coordinators. The school system offers students 26 different CTE Pathways and all students across grades 6-12 have a documented Career Development Plan. All 32 RCSS schools are served in some capacity under the school system's Workforce Roadmap, which provides students with meaningful Career Awareness, Development, Participation, and Preparation opportunities. For the 2023-2024 school year, 937 RCSS students completed a high school CTE pathway and earned 7,366 industry-aligned credentials.