February is National Career and Technical Education Month

Debra Barrett<smithde6@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Learn about and support your local career and technical education programs.

Author Amanda Rotach Lamkin talks to students
Students explore being an author and owning a business from Amanda Rotach Lamkin, a Michigan born author. Photo by Debra Barrett, MSU Extension.

Career and technical education is education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand jobs and careers, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education. In Michigan and nationally, career and technical education provides educational opportunities in a variety of career fields including health care, information technology, manufacturing, hospitality and management, agriculture and more.

“Celebrate today, own tomorrow!” is the theme of Career and Technical Education Month. Career and Technical Education Month is a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of career and technical education and the achievements and accomplishments of career and technical education programs across the country.

Michigan Department of Education released that “over 96% of Michigan career and technical education graduates were successfully placed in 2016.” This currently exceeds the federal goal of 95%. Career and technical education uses a combination of methods to help young people learn skills including in and out of class lessons, certifications and work-based learning opportunities like internships and co-ops to name a few.

What can you do to support career and technical education during Career and Technical Education Month?

Michigan 4-H Youth Development connects with and supports career and technical education in many ways across Michigan. 

Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development helps to prepare young people for successful futures.  For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or entrepreneurship, email us at 4-HCareerPrep@anr.msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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