High school students have opportunities now to experience careers first hand through the schools’ Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs. Wiregrass has been honoring the area teachers, students and administrators the month of February because of its designation as National Career Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE) month. High schools offer their students many CTAE or career based program options, and Wiregrass is able to partner with these schools to provide additional classes or programs.
In celebration of CTAE month, Wiregrass’ high school coordinators have been visiting each high school during the schools’ lunch shifts and have presented each school with banners, stickers, and teacher gifts. Wiregrass has given away headphones and a Wiregrass watch to two student winners at each school in celebration of CTAE month.
“The CTAE programs offered through our local high schools provide students with practical, real world courses that help them be better prepared for college and careers,” shared Brooke Jaramillo, Director of Recruitment and High School Services. “Students who take these courses while in high school usually perform better in their college programs once they enroll at Wiregrass Georgia Tech, usually graduate on time with much success, and are ready to enter the workforce at higher rates of pay than other students their age. The CTAE teachers and administrators in our service area work tirelessly to prepare students for real world careers that will help them be responsible members of our local communities. Wiregrass is honored to partner with high school CTAE programs and looks forward to a long relationship with each.”
Some of the CTAE partnership programs that Wiregrass offers at area high schools include: Nurse Aide, Criminal Justice, Customer Service, Culinary Arts, Child Development, Video Specialist, Shampoo Technician, and Basic Mechatronic Technician. Students are able to take college classes while in high school and earn both their required high school credit and college credit. Students have several ways to enroll at Wiregrass to receive college credit at no cost while in high school. This could be a savings of over $10,000 in tuition, fees, and books. And, the one specific program known as Accel offers degree level courses that are transferrable to any Georgia college or university.
CTAE Director for Cook County High Schools Sharon Cunningham shared, “Wiregrass provides Cook High students the chance to experience college with a “personal” touch. The instructors create an atmosphere of support balanced with productivity that eases the transition to college. The Wiregrass staff cooperates with our counselors to provide pre-admission tutorials, career counseling, and other services to guide Cook High students toward their employment goals. It is a win-win relationship for those who participate.”
CTAE month is celebrated yearly during the month of February. If you would be interested in learning more about Wiregrass’ high school programs through the state funded program called Move on When Ready, please contact Brooke Jaramillo at (22) 333-2100 ext. 6163 or visit wiregrass.edu.
– Submitted