February is celebrated as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month as a way to put the spotlight on the value that CTE programs offer to students, the workforce, and the overall economy. Community colleges and the programs they offer are key to preparing students for the expanding workforce.
On Thursday, February 26, from 9-11 a.m., Spoon River College will host a Career and Technical Education Showcase event offering simulations and hands-on activities. Faculty, current students, and staff from several SRC departments will be available to answer questions about the programs, the admission process, and financial aid options. This event is for people of all ages.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about career programs that get students job-ready and into the workforce in a short amount of time, whether it be with an associate degree or a short-term certificate,” said Todd Thompson, Diesel and Power Systems Technology instructor and Division Chair for CTE programs at SRC.
Programs being featured include Agriculture Business Management, Commercial Driver Training/Logistics, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Healthcare Careers (Medical Assisting, Medical Billing/Coding, Phlebotomy), Medical Lab Technician (MLT), Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Small Business Management, and Welding.
In 2021, a $1.5M grant from the Economic Development Administration allowed for new training equipment and renovations of the college’s Vocational and Technical Education Center (VOTECH), which were completed in 2024. In addition, scholarship funding was provided by SRC alumnus and retired Caterpillar vice president and CEO Lynn McPheeters, with a $500,000 gift earmarked for students entering career and technical education programs, which are currently ineligible for federal aid.
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), there is a projected deficit of 6 million skilled workers through 2032. CTE programs can prepare individuals for these high-skill, in-demand jobs in fields which can pay up to $2.8 million in lifetime earnings, as well as pay more than bachelor’s degrees in other fields, while also limiting student debt.
This is an open house type of event. Participants are welcome to arrive anytime between 9 and 11 a.m. Schools bringing buses of students are encouraged to email Melissa Miller. Please allow 45 minutes to an hour to tour the VOTECH Building and stop at all of the program booths. This event is being held at the Canton Campus, 23235 N. County Hwy. 22 at the VOTECH Building.