February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the vital role hands-on, career focused education plays in preparing students for today’s workforce.
As part of the statewide celebration, the North Arkansas College Tech Center’s CTE program was selected as one of 16 High Schools and Tech Centers invited to participate in a showcase event at the Arkansas State Capitol. The event was designed to promote CTE programs, celebrate student achievement, and highlight innovative initiatives for legislators and state leaders.
The showcase provided an opportunity for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together and see firsthand the impact of CTE programs across Arkansas. The focus was on developing success-ready graduates and the pathways schools provide for enrollment and employment.
The Northark Tech Center was chosen specifically for its outstanding work in preparing students for their futures. Students attending the event were able to showcase their programs and engage in meaningful conversations with legislators, educators, and community leaders about the skills they are learning and the opportunities CTE has created for them.
For many students, the experience was especially impactful. Several visited the Arkansas State Capitol for the first time, and for one student, it was their first trip to Little Rock. The visit helped students gain a deeper understanding of the importance of CTE programs and their role in strengthening communities across the state.
Director of Career and Technical Education Matt Urioste emphasized the significance of the experience. “Taking our students to the Capitol showed them their skills, voices, and ambitions belong in the rooms where decisions are made. The CTE students we took to the Capitol are the builders, innovators, and leaders who will shape our communities in the future.”