VCC Summer-Fall 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S ummer /F all 2021 22 Q: Dr. Long, what is CTE? BL: Career and Technical Education provides students the opportunity to enroll in rigorous and high-demand career pathways during their high school career and follow these career options in postsecondary education and/or the workforce. Students focus on career opportunities and work-based learning, earn industry credentials, and dual enrollment credits before graduating from high school. Q: How does that differ from what the Baby Boomers knew as “shop class”? BL: Today’s CTE programs are aligned with business and industry needs and provides students a career pathway to college AND career readiness. It’s no longer an either or situation. CTE today reinforces strong academic knowledge and technical skills to prepare students for their next-step on their career journey—whenever that entry point to the workforce is. Classrooms and labs are updated regularly to meet industry standards. No longer will you find the outdated “shop class”. That is why state funding for equipment is so important. Q: What careers are we talking about here? BL: Virginia is part of the National Career Clusters Network and offers 17 Career Clusters with career pathways options. Students have opportunities for careers relating architecture, construction, agriculture, business, cyber security, technology, health sciences, education, manufacturing, STEM, hospitality, transportation, teacher preparation, arts and communication, energy, skilled trades and more. Every CTE program can provide a career pathway from entry level and above. Q: Is this the same as STEM? BL: Career and Technical Education is the application of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). STEM applications and concepts are found in CTE programs requiring not only the academic and technical skills but critical thinking and creativity. CTE allows students to acquire STEM skills and competencies with enhanced value across a variety of careers and industries. Q: Should everyone take CTE? BL: Absolutely! CTE has something to offer every student regardless of their career and postsecondary education goals. The instruction will allow them to focus on skills that will be necessary in any job market. For example, who does not use computer technology in their workplace? Students acquire those technology skills before graduating from high school. Previously, they learned them once they entered the workforce. Q: Why can’t high school graduates just go into a trade school? BL: They can do that after high school. But they will be a step ahead if they have had CTE courses during their high school career which will enhance and expedite their training in a trade school, apprenticeship program, or other training situation. Q: How early should career education start? In high school? BL: We used to think beginning career education at high school was the starting place. But too many students “grazed” on a variety of course work without focusing on possible careers. Today, we like to see career awareness begin in K-4 with career exploration in grades 5-7 and the development of an Academic and Career Plan (ACP). The ACP will help guide career choices and information during the high school career. School divisions are encouraged to provide students opportunities during middle and high school which relate to work-based learning activities such as mentoring assignments, job- shadowing, internships, or even apprenticeships. Q: How can a young child be ready for CTE? BL: Additional exposure during elementary school for career awareness and exploration. Providing young children the opportunity for hands-on learning is a first step and opportunity to explore new avenues. Allowing children to be creative and solve problems is a great way to prepare them for what may be the future and changing workforce. Q: How does Virginia approach CTE? Is CTE a national trend? BL: Virginia provides open access to all CTE programs for all students and serves all aspects for education and the economy. Virginia CTE courses are aligned with business and industry needs. CTE is an investment in the economy by showing a return on the investment. Nationally, CTE has become an even larger focus by gaining career-specific technical and academic skills as well as cross cutting employability skills for success in the workplace. Q: Is that changing? BL: CTE is now seen as Readiness For All Careers—at what point the individual enters the workforce with a background in CTE will strengthen the opportunities for success. Many in-demand, high-wage jobs, require less than a four-year degree but do require postsecondary education and CTE is providing the opportunity for students to qualify for a changing and challenging workforce. Q: Is there a special diploma for CTE? BL: There is not a CTE diploma in Virginia and students may choose the option of a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma. Students with disabilities may choose a Modified Standard Diploma. Within the requirements for each of these, there are opportunities to take a CTE concentration of courses that focus on a career pathway. Q: Does our educational system encourage CTE? BL: I think it does now more than ever. With the implementation of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate emphasis is on knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences identified by employers, higher education, and the state board of education. Students earn work-based learning experiences, civic responsibilities, sense of community, and a career plan aligned with interests and goals. This is what CTE is about. Q: Where can I go to find out more about CTE? BL: There is a link to Career and Technical Education from theVirginia Department of Education website. This will provide information on Career Clusters and how to align programs to career interest. Also, there is a section on Career Success Stars which highlights former Virginia CTE students who graduated and aligned their high school career with postsecondary goals and their success in the workplace. Q: Are employers taking an interest in CTE? BL: Absolutely! Developing partnerships with employers are a key component of CTE programs. These partnerships involve opportunities for students to have work-based learning activities, but also allows input on curriculum changes that meet the needs of the industry. Employers are extremely valuable to the success of CTE. Q: Is CTE expensive? Does it pay off for students? BL: As an elective program for school divisions, the CTE program is expensive to update equipment and maintain in order to provide the students with the best possible skill attainment and training, provide credentialing assessments, and other co-curricular activities. When you are providing students extensive technical skills and application What’s All This Talk About CTE? VCCQM interviews Dr. Brenda Long, executive director for the Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education. She has been a fierce advocate for CTE for 45 years. Here she explains what it is, why we need it, and how it will affect the future of education and employment. LONG Continued on next page