Nash Community College and Nash County Public Schools held a well-attended Career & Technical Education Showcase event Tuesday at the college’s Business & Industry Center.
Attendees including elementary through high-school-aged students — and their very attentive parents — checked out the exhibits, had fun with the hands-on activities and chatted with education and industry experts. Kindergarten through 12th-grade students were encouraged to attend the event.
Alex Barnhill, dean of Career and Technical Education programs at the college, said the event was an opportunity for students and parents to find out first-hand what the community college has to offer its students and the wide array of well-paying jobs that await the graduates of its programs.
“It’s a way for us to show the programs that are available,” Barnhill said of the event dubbed Pathway to Success.
Heather Finch, executive director of communication, planning and engagement at the school system, said events like Pathway to Success serve a vital role.
“Visual and hands-on experiences are crucial in students’ educational journey from middle school through high school, college and into the workplace,” Finch said. “Imagine a map vividly illustrating each stage of this journey, an in-person representation of the steps from academic learning to professional life. Such a map is vital for students and their families to understand what it takes to achieve career goals.”
Finch said a large number of high school graduates from the local school district receive their nursing certifications or automotive degrees from Nash Community College.
“When students express ambitions, such as becoming a nurse or a computer engineer, without fully understanding the process to get there, the CTE showcase is a pivotal experience, providing a real-life glimpse into the entire process,” Finch said. “Students and their families will be able to observe and better understand the coursework, practical training and job implementation. This comprehensive insight is invaluable, helping students grasp what their chosen career truly entails.”
Barnhill said students and their parents can learn how they can get a head start down that pathway by taking college classes while still in high school. College-level classes are available with in-person instruction and online. In many cases, scheduling at school makes it possible to take college courses as part of the school day.
Barnhill said a major aspect of the event is getting parents and students to consider the future and what they can do now to ensure they have the skills and education to be able to make it in the career they aspire to pursue.
Chad Thompson, executive director of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development at the school system, was also supportive of the event.
“The CTE showcase allows our students to explore future career opportunities,” Thompson said. “Students can seamlessly transition from elementary education directly into the workforce by engaging with teachers and business, industrial and post-secondary staff in a single setting.”
Thompson said 28 percent of the entire school district’s student body is taking a CTE course this school year.
“If we look at this more closely, 4,027 middle and high school students have been enrolled in a CTE course,” Thompson said. “This engagement in the CTE showcase allows these students to gain valuable insights and experiences, further enhancing their journey from education to future careers.”