Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators Announces National Career and Technical Education Month

MASSACHUSETTS — Executive Director Kevin Farr is pleased to share that February is national Career and Technical Education Month®.

CTE month is an annual campaign by the Association for Career and Technical Education that seeks to bring national awareness to the value of career and technical education and the benefit it brings young people looking to gain knowledge, experience and skills in various industries. 

“Career and Technical Education Month is a great opportunity for us all to reflect on the value of vocational education,” Executive Director Farr said. “Our CTE schools in Massachusetts are preparing students for careers and college, and providing instruction that prepares them with indispensable industry knowledge and skills that they can benefit from their entire lives. We want to recognize the tremendous efforts of our CTE schools this year in particular, which have gone above and beyond to navigate the unique challenges of remote and hybrid learning when students often need the hands-on experience they gain in their shops to hone their skills.”

CTE schools statewide also stepped up last spring to help address the shortage of medical personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Massachusetts CTE schools donated thousands of pieces of PPE to support medical professionals including various types of masks, gloves, sanitizer, cleaning supplies and more. Several CTE schools in the state also utilized 3D printers in their facilities to print face shields to donate to area hospitals and medical facilities.

“The donations and various efforts to support our local medical professionals really speaks to the core values of career and technical education in the Commonwealth. Our schools play an integral role in our communities, preparing young people to enter the workforce trained, knowledgeable and eager to contribute,” Executive Director Farr said. “Many of the nurses, doctors, nurses aides and other medical professionals in our state were once young CTE students, and that wasn’t lost on our CTE schools this spring when the shortage of PPE came to light.”

MAVA also reminds prospective freshmen for the class of 2021-2022 that many CTE schools in Massachusetts are still accepting applications for consideration, and those interested in CTE education should reach out to their local vocational school to learn more about the programs available there.

CTE schools statewide are also encouraged to participate in the 2020-2021 CTE Month–NASA HUNCH Student Video Challenge: Advancing Space Exploration through Manufacturing. The video challenge is in its third year, and ACTE has partnered with NASA HUNCH to make the opportunity possible.

Students in elementary school, middle school, high school and postsecondary education may participate by creating and submitting a video featuring a manufacturing project or future scenario in one of several CTE industries that could advance our understanding of living and working in space. To learn more, click here. The deadline for submissions is April 1.

For the latest updates, visit MAVA’s website by clicking here. 

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