The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs are responsible for developing and maintaining educational programs that prepare individuals for occupations important to Florida’s economic development. Each program is aligned to a career cluster and is detailed in curriculum frameworks. With partners from education, business and industry, and trade associations, the curriculum frameworks include program standards that are both academically integrated and responsive to business and industry. As stated on the Florida Department of Education website ( fldoe.org ).
Pictured below are a few of the programs at our Clay County schools. CTE Career Tech Ed Paint Shop, CTE Auto Mechanics, CTE Floral Design, CTE Culinary, and CTE Electrical.
Upon graduation, our current Superintendent often says there are the 3 E’s.
- 1) Enroll – in higher ed
- 2) Employ – get a job
- 3) Enlist – serve your country
I like to add to the list:
- 4) Entrepreneur – create new ideas
In the past, we have not done enough to help our students come up with and create new ideas whether a service or product on day #1 out of high school. Many of the programs providing hands-on experience, could possibly get us back to dreaming, inventing, and all the opportunities this Nation has to offer in a free market.
Clay County provides around 33 programs beginning in Junior HS going through HS. Not all programs are at all schools but as we strive to find qualified instructors, we will continue to grow this hands-on education. Through the cooperation with many of our business leaders, we have students learning about aerospace for those with a passion for aviation, working in Credit Unions learning business, students working in hospitals learning about the medical field, a car dealership that has installed a shop teaching auto mechanics & providing certifications in many areas, to veterinary assisting, fire fighting and criminal justice including 911 dispatch, law enforcement, to the legal profession. Our construction classes include carpentry, electric, and HVAC for example. While we also have Engineering and T.V. Production, and so many others, every student has many opportunities to participate.
We all agree college is not what it used to be, nor is it always affordable. While many of the programs allow students to earn college credits through dual enrollment, many can walk out entering a profession earning a desirable salary immediately.
Many of our Clay citizens are not even aware of much of this. As a SB member, one of my desires is to help spread the word and support whatever it takes to continue to grow these programs and provide the support needed to obtain highly skilled instructors.
Pictured are a few of the programs at our Clay County schools. CTE Career Tech Ed Paint Shop, CTE Auto Mechanics, CTE Floral Design, CTE Culinary, and CTE Electrical.