Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares people for high-skill, in-demand employment that advances the global competitiveness of the Aurora area, as well as all of Illinois. Last year, roughly two-thirds of all Illinois community college graduates earned a CTE degree or certificate. CTE programs offer flexible scheduling, work-based learning and stackable credentials that provide a pathway from education to employment not only for recent high school graduates, but also for returning adults, veterans and workers who want to update their skills. To ensure that students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, programs contextualize instruction to the application of skills in the workplace and offer access to state-of-the-art technology. Student success in CTE programming is amplified by academic support services, work-based learning opportunities and business engagement. CTE’s reach in the Illinois workforce continues to be expansive. Currently, there are more than 4,200 CTE program offerings across the community college system.
“Career and technical education programs are at the core of the community college’s mission to provide educational opportunities tailored to local business and industry needs. These programs lead students into high demand careers in growing fields such as healthcare or cybersecurity that pay very well,” said Dr. Brian Durham, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board.
Waubonsee Community College joins with community colleges throughout the state to mark Career and Technical Education Month. Waubonsee offers more than 90 degree and certificate options in more than 30 different career programs. Waubonsee’s courses are available at four different campuses throughout the area, as well as online and at satellite locations.
“Our CTE programs really are designed with the student in mind. The resources available at Waubonsee can put anyone on a path to a great career,” said Ne’Keisha Stepney, Dean for Business and Career Technologies.
Waubonsee Community College will host a CTE open house on March 14 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Akerlow Hall on the Sugar Grove Campus. This event will showcase several of the college’s CTE programs including Auto Technology; Auto Body Repair; Machine Tool Technology; Automation Technology; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and others. In addition to the program showcase activities, area high school students will be present to sign letters of intent to study in the CTE programs at Waubonsee. This open house is free and open to the public. Attendees will be able to see the various program labs and training facilities, as well as meet faculty and students to learn more about the programs and the offerings at Waubonsee.
Visit www.waubonsee.edu/cte for information about Waubonsee’s CTE programs. Visit www.iccb.org/cte to learn more about CTE initiatives throughout Illinois.
