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Career & Technical Education:
Moving Futures Forward One Student At A Time
Let’s face it; college isn’t for everyone. Not everyone needs a four-year degree to fulfill their potential nor can many manage the debt that accompanies achieving it. And with the current economy, as the youngest of the baby boomers head into their retirement years, there is an increasing demand to fill many jobs that require certifications vs. four-year degrees.
At Cabarrus County Schools, Career & Technical Education (CTE) supports all students in their quest to find their right and purposeful career direction. The vision for the CCS CTE Department is to produce students ready to pursue their life’s purpose. If that purpose takes them directly into the workforce, to a trade school or community college, or to a four-year institution, our goal is to help them get there. Our mission is to help each child move their future forward, in the most productive way possible.
Partnerships with the community are critical and reciprocal. CCS has a rich history partnering with various industries, establishing long-standing community/school collaborations. For the business leader, CTE is an opportunity to partner with a local school district in a structured process that creates a pipeline of employees. Through a variety of work-based learning opportunities, guest speaking events, and advisory council opportunities, the business leader can participate in the education process and help students who may one day be their employees. CTE students receive tangible, real-life experience within some of the best local organizations they may already be familiar with in an area of study they are most interested in.
Data shows that when students complete a four-course program of study in a Career & Technical Education pathway, they are more likely to graduate, while also finding the career that makes them happy. Students can also leave high school with a credential that gives them a leg up on other applicants, ultimately, moving their futures forward at an unexpected pace.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) is a program that supports all students in their quest to find the right career direction. Our vision for the Cabarrus County Schools’ CTE Department is to produce students ready to pursue their life’s purpose. If that purpose takes them directly into the workforce, to a trade school or community college, or to a four-year institution, our goal is to help them get there.
Agricultural Education
A series of pathways that prepares students for more than 300 careers in the agriculture industry including production, financing, processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.
Pathways: Environmental and Natural Resources, Horticulture, Landscaping, Animal Science – Small and Large Animal, and Equine Science.
Health Sciences Education
Health Sciences Education is a comprehensive program of study that seeks to meet the present and predicted needs for health care workers. Curriculum in the Health Science Education program incorporates advances in technology to help deliver a real-world health care experience.
Pathways: Ethics, Professionalism, Prevention (Wellness), Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Rehabilitation.
Technology, Engineering,
and Design Education
This comprehensive program prepares students for careers and post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), arts, and audio/visual technology & communications and includes both high school and middle school courses.
Pathways: Digital Electronics, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Civil Engineering, Robotics, Architecture, Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Biomedical Engineering.
Marketing and
Entrepreneurship Education
Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education is a series of pathways that prepares students for post-secondary education and careers in marketing communications, marketing management, marketing research, merchandising, and professional sales.
Pathways: Marketing Communications, Marketing Management, Marketing Research, Merchandising, Professional Sales, and Travel & Tourism.
Business, Finance, & Information Technology Education
Instruction is focused on business skills and techniques, basic economics, and business attitudes needed to become a globally engaged and productive citizen. It is a broad, comprehensive curriculum area with courses at the middle and high school levels.
Pathways: Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, and Web Development.
Trade and Industrial Education
Students are provided an opportunity to advance in a variety of industry-aligned occupations. Students will be prepared for initial employment, further education at the community college or university level, and/or business ownership.
Pathways: Automotive Service, Carpentry, Masonry, Drafting – Architectural, Drafting – Engineering, Public Safety, Fire Fighter Technology, Law and Justice, and Emergency Medical Technology.
Family and Consumer
Sciences Education
Students develop the knowledge for how to deal with major societal issues, such as work and family, healthcare, child and elder care, family and community violence and crime, global economic and politics, and technology usage.
Pathways: Human Development, Personal and Family Finance, Housing and Interior Design, Food Science, Nutrition, and Wellness; Textiles and Apparel, and Consumer Services.
Mike Rowe:
CTE Careers Help Fill America’s Skills Gap
Mike Rowe, former host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” and advocate of the skilled trades through his foundation mikeroweWORKS, made an appearance before a congressional committee to talk about jobs and education’s role in tackling the widening skills gap problem in this country.
