GALESBURG — Students and faculty at Galesburg Area Vocational Center will join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate national Career and Technical Education Month. This year’s tagline is Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow!
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CTE Month provides CTE programs across the country an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE makes students college- and career- ready and prepares them for high-wage, high-demand career fields. Among the special activities scheduled, tours of the newly renovated facility, GAVC Video launch on Channel 7 local news station, release of the new Course Catalog with new CTE classes being offered, student of the month celebration, and recruitment of students into SkillsUSA a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. SkillsUSA educational programs, events and competitions support career and technical education in the nation’s classrooms.
“The activities planned over the next month will illustrate CTE courses and programs we offer our students,” said Jeff Houston, Vocational Director of the Galesburg Area Vocational Center. “By partnering with the business community, CTE programs are investing in students and providing them with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees and future leaders.”
CTE encompasses 94 percent of high school students and 13 million postsecondary students in the United States and includes high schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, four-year universities and more. CTE is a major part of the solution to myriad national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. At a time when opportunity for employment is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.
The Galesburg Area Vocational Center just recently completed a $2 million renovation project. The newly renovated space provides an educational environment that supports and encourages individual learning styles, develops occupational skills, promotes academic growth, and assists students in discovering their potential.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Career and Technical Education Month celebrated in Galesburg