Things are getting more technical in schools across the region as educators try to prepare their students for jobs in new industries coming to the area.
Even schools with no extra money in the budget are doing all they can to increase their career and technical education offerings, so that when companies such as Volkswagen and Wacker Chemical come to the area students will have a chance to snag the jobs.
“We are trying to do more with what we already have,” said Kay Light, director of career and technical education for the Marion County Department of Education. “We’ve looked at what we do have to see if it aligns with what’s going to be needed. We feel like we’re offering the right programs.”
South Pittsburg High School, for instance, isn’t adding classes, but it’s changing what it now offers to add what officials hope is more rigor and relevance.
Next year, the school’s Technology and Engineering Education program will be guided by the national Project Lead the Way curriculum, which will give students a chance to earn college credits.