District provides update on career paths for younger students

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The Career & Technical Education gram for the School District of Lee Coun continues to expand and reach students i elementary school

Adult & Career Education Director Rita Davis said in a presentation last week to the Lee County School Board their main focus is to begin at the elementary level to get students excite about careers, which is done through th E x c e l l e n t C a r e e r E x p l o r a t i o n L a b , EXCEL, bus

“It contains hands-on learning career kiosks and virtual reality,” she said

During the 2022-23 school year, 1,236 fifth-grade students at 10 schools were exposed to the EXCEL bus There are nine more schools scheduled to attend

The students are divided with half taking a basic career aptitude survey to see what their interests are, while the others go onto the bus and immerse themselves in various careers, such as a nurse in an emergency room

“Our dentist station is sponsored by Portofino Dental Our healthcare station is Lee Health, law enforcement by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, construction by Lee BIA and My Shower Doors has manufacturing kiosks,” Davis said

The Career & Technical Education enrollment for sixth through 12th grade for the 2021-22 school year was 37,399, which was not as high as 2019-20 school year of 37,656 students, but higher than 2020-21 of 33,122 students.

“It is very important to make sure programs are having impacts with our students We have been expanding enrollment in sixth through 12th in Career & Technical Education,” Davis said

The digital tool certificates earned for sixth through eighth grade was 1,169 for 2021-22, compared to 1,510 for 2019-20 As of Jan 31, the digital tool certificates earned this year were 592 in such areas as word sing, introduction to gaming and good er citizens

The digital tool certificates are intended o get middle-school students excited about what could be available to them in high school It takes them from their fifth-grade initial exploration to taking courses and earning the digital tool certificates

The ninth through 12th grade industry rtifications earned was 2,099 for 2021compared to 3,052 for the 2019-20 year

There are more than 50 CTE programs for high school

“Seven years ago we strategically partnered with Career Source of Southwest Florida for guiding and implementing new programs,” Davis said “We want a skilled teacher in the classroom, a school that is going to support it and a workforce that needs students trained in that specific area CTE is no longer an elective We are actually more required in a wonderful way to have students complete two, three, four courses to get most indepth knowledge.”

There is a new course offering, marketing essentials, which has 4,006 students enrolled There is an online course requirement, which may lead to a certification for entrepreneurship and business

“The skills associated with that certification are transferable to many industries,” Davis said

The high demand programs include veterinary assisting, pharmacy tech and carpentry The district also had its first masonry I National Center for Construction Education & Research certified high school student

Davis said industry certifications can enhance a student’s life. Based on 2020 numbers, the student earned $27 30 an hour for base employment with certification, compared to $14 26 for entry level for the same job

“There is a difference in earning power with certifica- tions,” Davis said.

Adult education was also highlighted, as the district offers GED, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Lifelong Learning and UpSkill Village courses for adults

There are eight in-person sites and one online option for GEDs that provide both morning and evening classes In 2021-22 there were 193 graduates For spring 2023 there are 313 students enrolled

There are 1,464 students enrolled in the spring 2023 ESOL class Lifelong Learners offers 17 classes for 250 students The UpSkill Village was made possible through a $750,000 Lee County Economic Development Office grant and offers eight micro-credentials in essential skills

Davis said digital badges are given, which enhances resumes

There is also Individualized Education & Training, which is concurrent learning for GED and ESOL students, as well as Family Literacy at Tice Elementary to help parents of pre-K students become proficient in English Davis said they also have business sponsored ESOL classes through a Goodwill Industries partnership to help employees become proficient in English

Technical colleges

In addition to providing young students with career options, the School District of Lee County provides programs at technical colleges

Cape Coral Technical College offers 16 programs in nursing/healthcare, technology, culinary arts and hospitality, barbering and cosmetology, business and veterinary assisting

“Students leave with no debt We do not give loans,” Cape Coral Technical College Director Charlie Pease said “Programs range from $3,000 to $7,000 We help them make sure they cover their program with zero debt ”

Fort Myers Technical College has 24 programs in healthcare, construction, transportation, manufacturing,

See UPDATE ON CAREER PATHS, page 10