Students gain career skills before entering the workforce.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about Career Technical Education Month. February is a time to celebrate CTE programs and their importance in the community and beyond. 

For over 100 years the federal government has invested in technology education, since the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act was signed into law on Feb. 23, 1917. Back then the focus was agriculture, construction and trade and industrial education.

Tools and technology have changed a lot over this period of time and while some industries, including ag and construction, are still part of CTE, many more, including education, healthcare, hospitality and finance, were added to the repertoire. 

In Salinas, CTE Month kicked off on Feb. 1 with a newsletter and showcases throughout Salinas Union High School District, as well as tours for prospective students at Mission Trails Regional Occupational Program, a campus where many SUHSD students take their CTE classes. Nearly 6,000 students are enrolled in CTE classes at SUHSD. 

This year also is the fourth county-wide CTE competition. Students can submit work until April 7 and participate in five different categories, including communications, creativity and innovation and greater good (winners will be announced in May). 

“I'm a passionate advocate for career technical education, and students participating in these classes,” says Rob Appel, director of Mission Trails ROP. 

Students enrolled in these courses learn about collaboration, communication, problem-solving and hands-on training. 

Appel says CTE programs focus on workforce needs and creating pathways for students to continue their education or integrate into the workforce. He also highlights the importance of collaborating with colleges so they can transition smoothly from CTE to college programs. 

“They can get additional training and they need those certifications that would allow them to jump into those positions that are going to pay them at a higher wage,” Appel says.

Later this month, students will talk with professionals during virtual career days, and on Feb. 23, Mission Trails ROP will close the celebration with Industry Expert Day.

“We have presenters from a variety of different economic sectors, not just locally, but across the country,” Appel says.

This includes welders, vehicle manufacturers and chefs, to mention a few.

In January I attended Inside Education, a program of Monterey County Office of Education that offers taxpayers a chance to learn more about K-12 education. We toured MCOE, Soledad High School and MTROP CTE programs including welding, nursing and the SAFE flight program. I also learned there is a shift happening in education to create better pathways from high school to college. Students are presented with trade schools along four-year colleges and they work closely with people in local industries to create or expand CTE programs. 

The CTE events at MTROP are open to SUHSD students, and if you or your kids are interested in participating, you can check out the activities for the upcoming days.

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Teaching job skills in Salinas. Capture the tide. A changing art scene.