West Central IN Career & Technical Education Kicks Off CTE Month

Feb. 1 marked the beginning of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month®. This month-long celebration serves to educate and inform students, their families, and the community about the opportunities available to them in high school that can lead to high-demand, high-wage careers after graduation.

Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton and Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry both officially proclaimed Feb. 1-18, 2023 as “Career & Technical Education Month® by West Central Indiana CTE and the national Association of Career & Technical Education.

West Central IN CTE is a local district cooperative that hosts 12 half-day programs between its four partner schools – Crawfordsville High School, North Montgomery High School, Southmont High School, and Western Boone High School. Juniors and seniors are able to earn industry certifications and licenses, dual credit, and post-secondary certificates while still attending high school.

“CTE is a vital component of student success, and we’re proud to offer top-tier programs for our community,” said Sara Nicodemus, Director of CTE. “We strive to ensure all of our students are capable of securing high-demand and high-wage careers.

Throughout the month, West Central IN CTE will host a variety of events to raise awareness and showcase the benefits of career & technical education. These activities include a Student Leadership Team field trip to the Indiana Statehouse on Feb. 7, and meetings with both Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and local Boone and Montgomery County legislators. Additionally, students and staff will present at the Western Boone Community School Corporation Board Meeting on Feb. 13, and at Crawfordsville Mayor Barton’s Workforce Roundtable on Feb. 23.

Additional program-specific field trips will take place throughout the month.

“Through CTE, students can gain the skills and education to make a direct impact in the workforce following high school, trade school, or college graduation,” said Dr. Scott Bowling, Superintendent of Crawfordsville Community School Corporation. “Career and technical education is for everyone – it’s good for students, it’s good for businesses, and it’s good for communities.

More CTE Month celebrations can be found on the West Central IN CTE’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter platforms. For more information, visit www.westcentralcte.org.

About West Central Indiana Career & Technical Education

West Central Indiana Career & Technical Education (CTE) is a district cooperative between Crawfordsville High School, North Montgomery High School, Southmont High School, and Western Boone High School. West Central CTE offers a variety of different strategic programs that blend coursework with sequenced skilled based learning. All CTE students are given career guidance through their programs to provide assistance with resume building, job awareness, interview coaching, and postsecondary education advice.

Program Offerings 2023-24:

Automotive Services, Business Administration, Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Cybersecurity, Criminal Justice, EMT, Fire & Rescue, HVAC, Industrial Career Academy,  Precision Machining, Pre-Nursing (CNA), Radio/TV, and Welding Technology.