Dear Editor,

Too often, Ohio residents have an outdated view of career-technical education (CTE). They imagine vocational schools from decades past and don’t realize that for many years, career centers like Great Oaks Career Campuses, Grant Career Center, the Warren County Career Center and Butler Tech have been cutting-edge schools where students study using state-of-the-art equipment and prepare for college as well as good-paying careers.

Some facts you may not know:

Career exploration begins at a younger age. This is an Ohio mandate now, but districts like Great Oaks have been offering the chance for junior high students (and younger) to learn more in their own schools about potential careers for years. With the advent of OhioMeansJobs and other online resources, students also have online access to information about a wide range of options.

Career programs at traditional high schools gives all students more options. More and more CTE classes are being held in the next classroom, not in a separate building. High school students can receive career education and experience without leaving their school. At Great Oaks, for instance, the number of satellite programs in such areas as marketing, engineering, biomedical science, business and teaching has exploded in recent years.

Regional business is involved in CTE education. Many people are surprised to learn about real-world connections to CTE. Area business leaders and professionals work closely with schools, teachers, and students to ensure that what students learn in the CTE lab will be what they need when they graduate. Business advisors help recommend equipment and curriculum, discuss the skills that students need, and even provide internships, co-ops and jobs for students and graduates.

Students can earn college credit. CTE students not only can go to college, they often do so with credits already earned. This includes credit in their career field earned in their CTE lab-and also academic credit through Dual Credit classes, PSEO, and College Credit Plus.

High-tech labs, connections to local business and industry, and college preparation mean that career-technical students are prepared for today’s world when they graduate. As one Mason resident told us recently, “This is not my grandfather’s vocational school!”

Stop in and see us! We’re excited to show you what’s new with CTE.

Harry Snyder,
President/CEO
Great Oaks Career Campuses