CF Celebrate CTE Month

February is widely recognized as Career and Technical Education Month® by the Association for Career and Technical Education as an opportunity to celebrate the value, achievements and accomplishments of programs across the country.

The College of Central Florida — along with the Florida Department of Education and its 27 additional Florida College System institutions and 48 technical colleges — celebrates students who have successfully graduated from these programs into rewarding careers and encourages those who have yet to start.

“CF is committed to providing academic programs that serve our students and community,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “Individuals who are out of work or who want to reskill or upskill are eligible to apply for a variety of programs and may qualify to attend with no tuition.”

In September, FDOE launched its workforce education initiative Get There, aimed at raising awareness of short-term career and technical education programs and highlighting $35 million in funding made available to state and technical colleges in the form of rapid credentialing grants. These grants were designed to increase Florida’s capacity to enroll and graduate students quickly, to aid in accelerated recovery for residents and the economy during the pandemic.

At CF, tuition-free programs include Logistics and Transportation Specialist, Computer Information Data Specialist, Accounting Technology Specialist, EMT, and more. Potential students can learn more at an information session Monday, March 1, from 11 a.m.-noon. Visit www.CF.edu/essential for more information.

In January, CF launched its Workforce Bound campaign, which focuses on Associate in Science degrees that allow students to take their career options to the next level. The stacking of credentials allows students to make the most of their time.

“CTE Month provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the great work of our school districts and state colleges as they educate and help to prepare the future of Florida’s workforce,” said Henry Mack, Chancellor for Career, Technical and Adult Education. “With the pandemic impacting the lives of many residents, there is no better time to highlight how CTE can make a difference. CTE is equal parts engaging, exciting and transformative, and leads to better academic and employment outcomes.”

The current disruption has propelled the demand for CTE programs as many Floridians seeking reemployment are looking for opportunities to match their current skill sets to demand from employers. While the pandemic sparked a renewed focus on the importance of CTE, there are also opportunities to reach beyond those impacted and educate all Floridians about educational offerings available in the state.