(Seguin) — The city of Seguin is joining in the celebration of Career and Technical Education Month. The month of February has been designated as a time to recognize and support CTE programs offered at schools across the area. The programs offer children real-life experiences that can often lead to a career or an opportunity to grow their skills while plotting their pathway to the future.
Mayor Donna Dodgen read the proclamation during a recent Seguin City Council meeting.
“Career and technical education (programs) offer students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for true career readiness. And whereas, students in career and technical education programs participate in authentic, meaningful experiences and improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement. And whereas, career and technical education provides students with career exploration opportunities early in the educational experience, which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways. And whereas, ensuring that employers have access to a qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring productivity among the business and industry communities as well as continued American economic growth and competitiveness,” said Dodgen.
The city and the Seguin Economic Development Corporation have teamed up with the Seguin and Navarro school districts to support existing CTE programs and to also make sure that some of them align with the careers that are currently available in the Seguin area. Mayor Dodgen says students are taking advantage of these CTE courses.
“It’s my understanding that in our (local) independent school district systems, that 85 percent of our students are enrolled in at least one CTE class. That’s phenomenal,” said Dodgen.
Mayor Dodgen thanked all the educators and others who were on hand for the meeting. She says CTE is not just important to these students, but it also makes a difference in our community.
“We are very, very grateful in this community for these programs that each of these wonderful people and educators and employers provide. It is a backbone for us. I’m the only one in my family who has not done a technical and career education program, and I’m the only one still working. That should tell you volumes,” said Dodgen.
It’s not just the city and school district that are showing their support for local CTE programs, but many local businesses and organizations, like the Seguin Construction Trades Booster Club, are also making a difference.