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A PSC Culinary Arts student is all smiles as she prepares a dish. February is National Career and Technical Education Month. For students eager to fast-track their success, CTE is a ticket to a world of opportunities. With an astounding 17 career pathways, students can gain essential skills through immersive, hands-on experiences. Programs are not only accessible but affordable and can be completed in a year or less.
Career and Technical Education Month highlights accomplishments of Florida programs
Pensacola State College is celebrating National Career and Technical Education Month with various campus events.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) students work toward an Associate of Science degree, a vocational certificate, or a college credit certificate. This spring, more than 4,750 Pensacola State students are enrolled in CTE Programs.
CTE Month celebrates and highlights the value, achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across Florida and nationwide.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the Florida Department of Education to shine a spotlight on CTE Month and celebrate the opportunity and triumphs embedded in our CTE courses,” said Deborah Hooks, PSC CTE Student Resources Director.
“We know these programs have a profound impact on our students and their future. We are excited to continue collaborating with local and state leaders, businesses and industry innovators. Together, we’re sculpting a pathway for our students, equipping them with the latest technology and skills.”
Upcoming CTE Month’s events planned at Pensacola State include:
- FAFSA Day with CTE Resource Table: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, Building 1, on the Pensacola campus.
- Dress for Success Lunch & Learn with Pirates CARE: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12, Building 5, Room 509, Pensacola campus.
- Beads and Burger Mardi Gras Event with EOC Tabling: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Feb. 13, Building 5 Gazebo, Pensacola campus.
- Resume Pop-Up Workshop with John Solet: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, Building 51, Student Lobby, South Santa Rosa campus.
- CTE/EOC Career Exploration Event: 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Feb. 20, Century campus.
- CTE Open House: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, Building 6, Room 641, Pensacola campus.
- Warrington Campus CTE Open House Tabling Session: Noon-2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, Building 3600.
- CTE Tabling Event: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 26, Gazebo, Pensacola campus.
- Handshake Job Board Demo Workshop: 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, CTE Computer Lab, Pensacola campus.
- CTE/EOC Career Exploration Event: 9 a.m.-noon, Milton campus library, Building 4100.
During the first week of February, the College hosted the annual Multicultural Job Fair on Feb. 1 in the Student Center, and the PSC chapter of the National Technical Honor Society held a Donut-Tabling Event on Feb. 6.
“Concentrating in CTE can provide students with a strong foundation of technical knowledge and employability skills to complement their academic studies and prepare them for both college and career options,’’ Hooks said.
In 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis set a goal of making Florida the No. 1 state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. And he has committed more than $6.8 billion to workforce education and training ─ making Florida No. 1 in the country for attracting and developing a skilled workforce.
Statewide, there are nearly 800,000 K-12 CTE students ─ the highest in the state’s history ─ more than 412,000 postsecondary CTE students, and 20,000 registered apprentices and pre-apprentices are engaged in workforce education.
To learn more about Pensacola State’s CTE Program, call (850) 484-1654.