Students, staff, and faculty at KY Tech—Clinton County Area Technology Center are celebrating February 14-18 as National Career and Technical Education Week for which Albany Mayor Nicky Smith and County Judge Executive Lyle Huff signed a Proclamation of Observance. The theme of CTE week’s celebration, CTE—Learning Today, Earning Tomorrow, highlights the critical need for career and technical education (CTE) programs to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy.

Faculty and staff members from the Clinton County Area Technology Center were on hand for the proclamation signing this week, and are shown in the photo above.

Pictured, seated, are Mayor Nicky Smith and Judge Executive Lyle Huff. Back row, left to right; Chris Shelton (Maintenance), Stesha Shelton (Office Tech), Teresa Giles (Office Tech), Stephanie Bertram (Administrative Secretary), Billie Frye (Health Sciences), Barry Harmon (Carpentry Tech), Dennis Flowers (Automotive Tech ), Jerry Bell (Electricity Tech), Alfredda Stearns (Principal), and Jesse Burchett (Welding Tech).

By partnering with the business community, CTE programs are investing in the lives of students from Clinton and Cumberland Counties with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees as well as future leaders. Clinton County ATC’s three student organizations—Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and SkillsUSA (Vocational Industrial Students of America)—have activities scheduled for the week to celebrate their involvement in career and technical education.

CTE is a major part of the solution to myriad national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 20 fastest growing occupations, 10 require an associate’s degree or less. Furthermore, of the 20 occupations with the largest numbers of new jobs projected for 2018, 13 require on-the-job training or an associate’s degree.

For more information about KY Tech—Clinton County Area Technology Center, call 606-387-6448.