Schools offering vocational programs
that have evolved with the times
By Katelin Gandee
S
chools of 2020 aren’t offering the
vocational programs of our parents
and grandparents. They have evolved
to address the times.
With technology evolving daily, schools
are beginning to prepare students for jobs
that haven’t even been invented yet through
technology and Career and Technical
Education. While schools still offer courses
in agriculture and welding, some are
beginning to branch out into the evolving
technology of drone programs or computer
sciences.
Scotland County Schools were the first in
the state to begin offering drone programs
24 • PROGRESS 2020
two years ago, and since have had dozens
of students have received their licenses. The
school has a goal for students to be either
enlisted, enrolled or employed when they
walk the stage at graduation. Other licenses and credentials the school
offers are ServSafe Manager, AutoCAD,
NCCER credentials in construction,
plumbing, and electrical trades, and Adobe
Photoshop, InDesign, and Premier Pro.
“There are over 30 courses offered within
16 different career pathways, with the most
popular classes being in the manufacturing,
health science, and culinary arenas,” said
Scotland County CTE Director Jonathan
McRae. “Students can earn industry-
recognized certifications in a number of
courses that we offer. Last year, our students
earned over 1,700 credentials, representing a
154% increase from five years ago.” Scotland County also puts the initiatives to
begin earlier than high school, in hopes of
teaching children not just coding but also
the power of teamwork robotics is available
in the elementary, middle and high school
levels. Also for students entering sixth
grade, there is a career exploration program
that allows students to take their interests
and dig deeper into careers they may want
to pursue in the future.