CTAE - Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education
Formerly known as Vocational Education
Access the following CTAE pages below:
What is CTAE?
Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education
Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) is education about and for careers. CTAE was formerly known as vocational education. "The mission of CTAE is to educate Georgia's future workforce by engaging students in experiences that will prepare them for workplace success. Through CTAE, students see the relevance of their high school efforts to their future career goals..." (GaDOE).
In Wilkes County, at the primary and elementary school level, attention is focused on career awareness and exploration. At the secondary level (Grades 6-12), the goal of CTAE programs is to help students learn more about their career interests and prepare them with foundational career skills that will enable them to be successful as they transition from school to the world of work. We want students to graduate from high school with a workable plan for their futures that will allow them to become self-sustaining, productive members of society.
CTAE provides students with specialized classes, internships, and networking opportunities with members of their community. CTAE programs prepare students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, in-demand careers. Opportunities are offered for students to earn industry-recognized credentials like the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications and the Georgia Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) license. Students can also earn college-level credit as part of CTAE Pathway completion if they pass the End-of-Pathway Assessment at a certain level with specific requirements met.
Of our total school enrollment, 92.05% of our students are enrolled in CTAE courses. The graduation rate for students involved in CTAE pathways in Georgia is 97.18%. At W-WCHS, the graduation rate for CTAE Concentrators is 98.6%. When involved in CTAE, students are engaged and able to see the relevance of their education. Students participating in CTAE have a variety of postsecondary education options including the following:
Four-year college/university
Two-year college
Technical college
Military Service
Registered Apprenticeships
CTAE Program
Career Pathways
Career Pathways are state-approved career enhancement programs defined as a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career related courses usually commencing in the ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, and/or an industry-recognized certificate or licensure, and/or a baccalaureate degree and beyond.
CTAE provides all Georgia students with the opportunity to select at least three sequenced electives in a Career Pathway, along with recommended academic coursework, to prepare them to continue their education at any level or to enter the world of work.
Selection of a Career Pathway is based on self-awareness and the investigation of occupations plus related educational levels aligned with the Career Pathway. Students in Wilkes County can participate in five CTAE program concentrations and their related Career Pathways. Students may also participate in co-curricular Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) related to program areas.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD & NATURAL RESOURCES (Click link to view related careers)
Career Pathways Offered:
Forestry/Wildlife Systems
Forestry and Animal Science Systems
Forest Mechanical Systems
Agriculture Mechanics and Electrical Systems (Agricultural & Residential Wiring)
Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Fabrication (Welding)
Agriculture Mechanics Systems (Mechanics & Construction)
Students interested in a career in mechanics, construction, or manufacturing should consider enrolling in Agriculture career pathways listed below.
Agriculture Mechanics and Electrical Systems (Agricultural & Residential Wiring)
Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Fabrication (Welding)
Agriculture Mechanics Systems (Mechanics & Construction)
To learn more about careers in the Skilled Trades, visit: https://www.gafutures.org/career-exploration/learn-about-skilled-trades/why-skilled-trades/.
View related careers using the links below:
Architecture & Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
*You may be able to get your postsecondary training for free with the HOPE Career Grant. Learn more about the opportunities at GAfutures HOPE Career Grant.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION; FINANCE (Click link to view related careers)
Career Pathways Offered:
Business Management and Finance (Middle School)
Business and Technology (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint; Business Communications)
Entrepreneurship
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (Click link to view related careers)
Career Pathways Offered:
Computer Science
Programming
Game Design
*You may be able to get your postsecondary training for free with the HOPE Career Grant. Learn more about the opportunities at GAfutures HOPE Career Grant.
EDUCATION & TRAINING (Click link to view related careers)
Career Pathway Offered:
Early Childhood Education
*You may be able to get your postsecondary training for free with the HOPE Career Grant. Learn more about the opportunities at GAfutures HOPE Career Grant.
HEALTH SCIENCE (Click link to view related careers)
Career Pathways Offered:
Therapeutic Services-Patient Care
Allied Health and Medicine
* You may be able to get your postsecondary training for free with the HOPE Career Grant. Learn more about the opportunities at GAfutures HOPE Career Grant.
CAREER READY DIPLOMA SEALS
The Georgia Career Ready Diploma Seal is awarded to graduating students who complete a series of accomplishments as outlined below. At W-WCHS, our students may earn either the Pathway Skills Seal or the Distinguished Pathway Skills Seal.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) programs are structured experiences that connect students’ career goals and classroom learning with a productive work environment. Work-Based Learning provides students the opportunity to know what they like to do as well an opportunity to develop work skills and personal qualities and to explore the world-of-work directly linked to their career interests.
Work-Based Learning includes student placement in positions that may be paid or unpaid. WBL placement experiences give students opportunities for instruction not only in academics but also in occupational skills, career exploration, and guidance in identifying employment and educational goals. Students truly have the opportunity to connect what they learn in school with work-site application, enabling a smooth transition into the workforce and/or education beyond high school.
There are three interlocking components of Work-Based Learning:
Student Career Goal
Related Coursework
Structured Work Experience
Employers aid students’ education by creating relevant curriculum, developing occupational skill standards specific to business and industry, and assessing student performance.
Career and Technical Student Organizations
"Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) enhance student learning through leadership and personal development, applied learning and real world application.
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are a vital part of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE). CTSOs play an integral role in preparing students to become college and career ready members of society who hold productive leadership roles in their communities. CTSOs are committed to the growth of students in all CTAE career pathways.
These organizations provide motivation, leadership training, and career development opportunities for students enrolled in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education programs in middle and high schools and enhance their occupational, employability and leadership skills through various activities such as conferences, award programs, service projects, and competitive events. These organizations conduct activities and events at the local, state and national levels in which students can participate and compete." Source: http://gactso.org/
Each career program area has a nationally recognized CTSO associated with it. Each CTAE course has CTSO standards and objectives embedded within the course. All students are encouraged to join the CTSO related to their career interest area. In Wilkes County, CTSO membership opportunities are offered for middle and high school students. Learn more about each organization by right clicking on the link and opening it in a new tab or new window. You may also review the Georgia CTSOs Information Guide linked here.
Program: Agriculture
CTSO: National FFA Organization (Georgia FFA)
Program: Business, Management & Administration
CTSO: Future Business Leaders of America (Georgia FBLA) for middle & high school students
Program: Education
CTSO: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (Georgia FCCLA)
Program: Health Science
CTSO: HOSA Future Health Professionals (Georgia HOSA)
For more information about the CTAE Program, please contact:
DR. ALICIA M. FINNELL
Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Director
706-678-2426
finnella@wilkes.k12.ga.us