Career & Technical Education is designed to help train a qualified workforce for today’s competitive job market.
Courses at the New Albany School of Career and Technical Education (CTE) help students develop marketable job skills and earn national industry certifications needed to achieve their occupational goals.
Of the thirteen programs offered at the CTE during the 2023-2024 school year, seven programs were able to gain national industry certifications through assessments throughout the year.
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released the National Certification Ranking Report this fall which shows the success of CTE programs enrolled as compared to other career and technical education programs across the state.
Auto Mechanics includes classroom instruction and hands on experiences which is designed to help students acquire the skills needed to enter the automotive repair field.
Students enrolled in the Auto Mechanics program can earn up to ten certifications through the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The Auto Mechanics program is under the direction of Jonathan Garrison and ranked 1st in the state in ASE Manual Drive Train & Axles; ASE Electrical/Electronic Systems; ASE Automatic Transmission & Transaxle; and ASE Automobile Service Technology. The program ranked 2nd in the state in ASE Suspension and Steering; ASE Engine Repair; and ASE Engine Performance. The Auto Mechanics Program also ranked in the top five programs in the state in ASE Maintenance & Light Repair; ASE Heating & Air Conditioning; and ASE Brakes.
“Mr. Garrison has done an amazing job with our students and this shows through the national certifications that our students are earning through the ASE program,” said Paul Henry, CTE Director. “Our Auto Mechanics program is definitely one of the top programs across the state of Mississippi and our students leave the CTE ready for post graduate training or direct entry into the automotive industry.”
The Business, Marketing & Finance (BMF) program at the CTE is designed to educate, train, and provide guidance for secondary career and technical students who seek to develop the knowledge, skills, and behavioral characteristics necessary for successful postgraduate education or entry level employment in business related occupations
Students in the BMF program can earn the ESB Certiport (Entrepreneurship and Small Business) Certification. The BMF program instructor is Alison Moore and the CTE Center ranked 7th in the state in the National Certification Ranking Report issued by MDE.
The Engineering program is a technology literacy course designed to be both academically rigorous and technically challenging for students planning careers in high-tech fields such as Robotics and Computers.
Engineering students, under the instruction of LaTrina Walker, can earn the Solid Works certification. The CTE Center ranked 8th in the state ranking report.
The Culinary and Related Foods program offers classroom and hands-on instruction to prepare students for employment in the food service industry. Anita Alef is the Culinary Instructor and works to prepare students for ServSafe Certification through the National Restaurant Association. The Culinary Arts program ranked 17th in the state.
The Early Childhood Education courses include an introduction to personal and professional preparation for continued education, training, and careers in early childhood. Students are able to gain certification through the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences certification program. Kimberly Langley is the instructor and the Early Childhood Education program ranked 20th in the state.
The Construction and Drafting programs also include national certification opportunities. Students in the construction program receive certifications through the National Center for Construction Education and Research organization. Drafting students earn credentials through Certiport Autodesk. Both the Construction program and the Drafting program were recognized among the top programs in the state. The Construction instructor for the 23-24 school year was Rick Robbins and the Drafting instructor is Kevin Wigington.
“CTE programs help students develop the skills they need to achieve their career goals,” explained Henry. “Our instructors are doing an amazing job of preparing students for these national industry recognized certifications and our students are winning because of this.”