Western Brown High School recognizes Career and Technical Education Month

Students and faculty at Western Brown High School will join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate national Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.

This year’s theme is "Recognizing Classroom Innovators." This celebration provides CTE programs across the country an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE educates students to be college- and career-ready and prepares them for high-wage, high-demand career fields.

Locally, students can attend the Southern Hills Career and Technical Center to study one of 13 different programs ranging from early childhood education to engineering. However, students can also access high-quality career based programming at Western Brown High School. Students can study marketing and business, agriscience, family and consumer science, and prepare for a career in the military through the JROTC program.

“The activities planned throughout the month will illustrate the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer our students,” said Kristin Depenbrock, a marketing instructor at WBHS. “CTE programs are investing in students’ lives with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees as well as future leaders.”

Students in Mrs. Depenbrock’s marketing communications course, who are also DECA members, are leading this effort and have partnered with the FFA and FCCLA student organizations at Western Brown to plan fun activities that inform students and staff alike of the opportunities made possible by CTE.

These student organizations are an important part of career tech education. DECA prepares emerging high school student leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. FFA prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. FCCLA promotes personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

CTE encompasses 94 percent of high school students and 13 million postsecondary students in the United States and includes high schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, four-year universities and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-third of the fastest growing occupations will require an associate’s degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate. At a time when job opportunity is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are adequately equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.