This time of year we talk a lot about goals for the year ahead. And while planning is critical to the construction industry’s future, taking the time to celebrate our present-day wins, especially when it comes to training the next generation, is equally as important. And throughout the month of February, we’ll be doing just that in honor of Career & Technical Education Month®.
Career & Technical Education Month® was created to celebrate the great work of our career and technical education programs. New to this form of education? Think of career and technical education, or CTE for short, as the tailored training that prepares students for in-demand, highly technical trades.
Students appreciate this unique learning style as it encompasses a range of education, including everything from classical classroom studies to on-the-job training. Though CTE’s train students for specialties in everything from healthcare to hospitality, we at I Build America – Ohio will be honoring construction career and technical education programs across our state all month long. Ohio is home to impressive training programs across every region. Check out our CTE directory on our website. Simply click your region to find a program near you.
But what is it about CTE that sets it apart? According to the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education, 98% of all CTE students graduated last year. This greatly surpasses the average college graduation rate for our state, which is just 57%. There’s something to be said about providing real-world experiences in an educational curriculum. It shows students how they will use their education, which increases the likelihood they will follow through.
Not only is the completion rate impressive, the training itself is, too. Today’s construction firms require industry-recognized certifications to ensure the highest-quality work. Students studying at any Ohio CTE will graduate with those certifications in hand.
While we are big proponents of career and technical education for young adults and those ready to immediately join the workforce, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all training program. Anyone can begin their training at a CTE at any time. The thorough training prepares people of all ages for a career in construction, from young teenage students to adult learners. Even middle school students can greatly benefit from this educational experience. There’s no other program out there that exposes young people to careers better.
And, education doesn’t necessarily end at the completion of a career and technical education program. According to the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education, half of all Ohio CTE students further their education. The combination of tailored skills training with a traditional four-year degree creates an incredibly well-prepared individual for a successful future.
No matter how CTE fits into a person’s training, it is one of the most effective, from cost to career training. The cost of traditional education continues to rise, but career and technical education centers offer a cost-effective alternative to help individuals start their careers without excessive debt. These savings, combined with the fact that skilled craft professionals continue to earn top dollar with salaries starting above the national median wage, make a career in construction a desirable choice for all.
Now the question is: how can you help celebrate Career & Technical Education Month®?
Career & Technical Education Centers:
- Invite your local community to see firsthand what sets your school apart.
Businesses and Industry Leaders:
- See how you can coordinate with local CTE to support on-the-job training.
Students:
- Schedule a tour of a Career & Technical Education Center near you.
Thank you, Ohioans, for celebrating Career & Technical Education Month® with us throughout the month of February.
