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Henrico Workforce & Career Development

Making the Case for Henrico CTE

A logo for Workforce & Career Development featuring the text Making The Case above a colorful wave graphic.

A graduate in a cap and gown embraces loved ones in a warm, orange-toned celebration.

Why are HCPS career and technical education programs important and viable options for students and parents in Henrico County? Because of what "CTE" stands for. From our more than 100 elective programs for middle and high school students to our 39 Advanced Career Education Center programs for  junior and senior students, CTE delivers three things to students: real options for college and careers; real high school experience with more value; and real-world skills. We accomplish this by building programs around hands-on real-world experiences in our labs and combining those experiences with supportive classroom time.

A person wearing a chef's uniform prepares food while text on the image reads, 'Nine out of 10 parents and students agree that finding a career they feel passionate about is important.'

CTE prepares our students for college “and” a career, not college “or” a career. While colleges require that students have hundreds of hours of hands-on experience to qualify for acceptance to many of their programs, Henrico CTE programs can provide students with experience to be ready for the college and  career of their choice. Also, in today’s reality many experienced employees are aging out and there are not enough experienced young men and women to replace them. This has created a skills gap in many fields. CTE programs educate and train students to be ready to fill those jobs. Whether those jobs are white collar, blue collar or "new collar," CTE students will be ready.

A medical team loads a patient onto a helicopter with text that reads: 82% of CTE students say their education gives them the ability to learn real-world skills, compared to only 51% of non CTE students.

CTE is staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the careers of today and tomorrow. Traditionally, careers have been split between white-collar and blue-collar, with white-collar jobs getting most of the attention for decades. In today’s workplace, something new has occurred. White- and blue-collar jobs have reached parity when it comes to pay. With the decade’s decline of skilled workers in the U.S., their pay has surpassed that of some white-collar jobs. In 2017, Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM, coined the phrase “new collar” employees. IBM has led the movement for new collar technology jobs, and now companies all over the country are making it policy. New collar careers have blurred the line between white and blue collar, with more businesses looking for candidates with skill sets that do not necessarily require a four-year college degree but do require an industry certification. Many of those certifications are available through Henrico CTE programs. Examples include: computer technologies, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, automotive technicians and many more. Henrico CTE stands ready to meet and exceed the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students here in Henrico County.

A smiling graduate hugs family members, surrounded by celebratory warmth and overlaid with text about education satisfaction.

Henrico CTE delivers real-world options for college and rewarding careers. Our programs enable students to explore a range of options for their future both inside and outside the classroom. Through Henrico CTE, students can start their path toward a career they are passionate about while earning valuable experience, college credits and more. Henrico CTE students are more likely to have a post-high school plan, including college than other students. Just 2% of CTE students answer “don’t know” when asked what they will do after high school.

 

CTE delivers real-world skills with its unique opportunity for hands-on learning that puts students at the center of the action. Henrico CTE provides the skills and confidence students need to pursue career options, discover their passions and get on a path to success. Students in Henrico CTE programs and their parents are three times as likely to report they are “very satisfied” with their children’s ability to learn real-world skills as part of their current education compared to parents not involved in CTE.

 

Henrico CTE delivers a real high school experience with more value. CTE programs are an important part of middle and high school and students can participate in CTE without sacrificing other activities they enjoy, such as sports, or the arts. Henrico CTE takes students even further during their high school experience, providing opportunities for specialized classes, internships and networking with members of the community.

 

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Some of the most powerful testing tools available today are the NOCTI certification tests. Most of our CTE programs use NOCTI tests when they are comparable with our curriculum. To find out more and how every NOCTI credential has been recommended for college credit by the National College Credit Recommendation Service, please click here.

 

 

Many employers stress that they are looking for potential hires with hands-on experience. Just like employers, colleges are requiring hundreds of hours of volunteer and practical work experience to apply to some of their programs. This is why Henrico CTE programs are important as students prepare for their future. We now know that CTE offers many programs starting as early as middle school. We know that CTE is best positioned to get students college and career ready with in-demand real-world work experience. CTE is ready for you. Choose CTE!

Making the Case for Henrico CTE