February is Career and Technical Education Month

As the school year transitions into February, things begin to pick up in the educational world as we look ahead to spring. Around the country, however, February is recognized as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month. This provides an opportunity for schools and centers around the country to showcase their students’ accomplishments and provide some insight into the benefits of Career and Technical Education. The Excelsior Springs School District is fortunate to have one of the only 57 Career Centers in the state of Missouri which provides 10 programs and serves 9 different sending schools.

So, what is CTE and who does it benefit? CTE provides students with real-world skills, work-related competencies, and work-related experiences that will prepare them to either enter the workforce or continue with higher education. And who does it benefit, the short answer is everyone. CTE plays a critical role in our local, state, and national economy as well as the development of our future’s highly skilled workforce. The Excelsior Springs Career Center has for many years helped prepare students for their future and continues to help students prepare for industries that are continually changing.

How successful are kids that attend the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center? In 2022, 96.2% of students who graduated, that were enrolled in CTE in Excelsior Springs, were employed, continuing education, or serving in the military after graduation. That is over 10% higher than the state average of students who did not enroll in CTE classes in High School. Another way to measure success is by students earning Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs). An IRC is a way for employers to know that a student was able to demonstrate mastery of specific knowledge or set of skills. CTE students at the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center earned over 300 IRCs in the 2021-22 school year. Another possibility that is available to students that attend the Career Center is the opportunity to complete a paid internship. The Career Center has numerous local business partners that employ Career Center students. This provides students to apply knowledge and skills they learned in a real-world environment.

The Excelsior Springs Area Career Center is extremely proud of the students that complete our programs, and we encourage all students to explore the programs that are offered. The opportunities that our students get to experience are unrivaled and prepare them for post-secondary success regardless of what is next for them.

– Ben Rubey, Director Excelsior Springs Area Career Center

*This article was submitted to the Excelsior Citizen by our community partner, Excelsior Springs School District #40