New CTE Pathways Increase Student Opportunities

Charlotte NC

04 February, 2021

11:47 AM

Description

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 2/3/2021 CMS is introducing two new Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in 2021-2022 to continue to help high school students identify and pursue a wide range of careers. CTE currently offers 21 distinct career pathways and prepares students for college, the military or a career after high school. The new pathways are in digital marketing and customer relationship management (CRM). "February is CTE month so we are excited to announce these two new pathways that open the door for students to learn state-of-the-art skills," said CTE Director, Susan Gann-Carroll. "In working with local businesses and industry partners, we designed these pathways to align with high-demand employment opportunities in Mecklenburg County and to build positive economic mobility for all students." The existing marketing pathway has been redesigned to include digital marketing. Students will receive a basic understanding of the industry and, in later courses, learn Adobe software and apply their skills. CRM is how businesses automate their marketing campaigns. Students will learn how businesses interact with their customer base electronically via text, email or social media and apply their knowledge. The CRM pathway uses Salesforce software; it is the first pathway of its kind in the country to be offered to high school students. Each CTE pathway has three to four sequenced courses within a career field. In some pathways, students can earn industry certifications while still in high school. Others provide early credit toward a post-secondary degree. All of them offer the opportunity to connect with future employers through job shadowing and internships. Students can sign up for the courses in these pathways during the registration process for the 2021-2022 school year. Pathway development coordinators from each high school are available to assist students and counselors with course offerings and pathways at their respective schools. To learn more, visit discovercte.com. This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.