Students and faculty at Manatee Technical College will join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE Month is recognized to celebrate and highlight the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across Florida.
“In partnership with the Florida Department of Education, we are highlighting the relevance and success of the CTE programs we offer,” said Valerie Viands, EdD, Director. “We know the impact these programs have on our economy and we will continue collaborating with local and state leaders, businesses and industry partners to provide our students with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees and future leaders.”
Florida is the third most populous state in the nation and home to the 16th largest economy in the world. Occupations that are currently in demand and will be in the future, including many that are experiencing significant shortages of skilled workers, are occupations for which MTC offers training, such as practical nurse, electrician, diesel mechanic, and dental assistant.
As teachers prepare CTE students for their future careers as skilled professionals, students engage in hands-on learning with real-life applications. These approaches to teaching are linked to greater understanding, comprehension, and retention.
“MTC Diesel Systems Technician students work on vehicles Manatee County Search and Rescue uses to help hurricane victims, and our Dental Assisting Technology and Management students receive on-the-job training from local dentists who mentor them in the final stage of their training,” said Viands. “These are a couple of examples of the ways our students apply the skills they are learning and prepare to become professionals in their fields.”
CTE offers a way for students to gain skills and earn certifications in some of Florida’s most critical and desirable industries. CTE programs can set individuals on the right path in less time with less cost than traditional higher education and with the same opportunities for federal financial aid.
In 2019, Governor DeSantis set a goal of making Florida the number one state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. Just this year, a record $579 million was invested to support workforce education programs. With this investment, Florida has now invested more than $5 billion in workforce education since the 2018-2019 school year.
For more information about Manatee Technical College, visit ManateeTech.edu or call 941-751-7900.
For more information about Career and Technical Education in FL, visit GetThereFL.com.
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