By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) – Leeward Community College encourages the public to GET JOB READY in celebration of national Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Among the special activities scheduled are the following:
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through March
- Culinary Arts Scholarship Brunch from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on February 17
- CTE Open House from 9 a.m. – noon on February 26
- Career Opportunity and Program Presentations throughout February
The CTE Open House on February 26 offers the public an opportunity to meet the CTE faculty in both credit and non-credit programs to discuss career opportunities, while exploring hands-on displays of the various programs.
For more information on the above activities, go to www.leeward.hawaii.edu/cte-month for exact dates and times.
“The activities planned in February will illustrate the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer our students,” said Leeward CC Dean of Career and Technical Education Ron Umehira. “By partnering with the business community, CTE programs are investing in students’ lives with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees as well as future leaders.”
Additional activities planned throughout the month include:
- “So You Want to Be a Nurse” workshop, Friday, Feb. 8, 1 – 1:50 p.m.
- Discover Leeward Day for High Schools, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 8:30 a.m. – noon
- Job Prep Services Open House, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. – noon
- “Labor Market-Where Are the Jobs?,” Thursday, Feb. 21, 9 – 9:50 a.m.
- CTE LifeSmarts Student Competition, Monday, Feb. 25, noon – 1 p.m.
- Associate in Arts in Teaching Information Session, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m.
CTE is a major part of the solution to the myriad of national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-third of the fastest growing occupations will require an associate’s degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate. Recent research published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that by 2018 employers will need 4.7 million workers with post-secondary certificates and credentials, such as those that can be obtained at Leeward Community College, but we will fall short of meeting that demand. At a time when job opportunity is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are adequately equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.
For more information about CTE Programs at Leeward Community College, go to www.leeward.hawaii.edu/cte-programs.
Credit programs offered by Leeward Community College include:
- Accounting
- Automotive Tech
- Business Technology
- Computer Science
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Media
- Health Information Tech
- Management
- Plant Biology
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Teaching/Education
- Television Production
Non-credit programs offered by Leeward Community College include:
- Process Technology
- Business & Computer Skills
- Sustainability
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Hospitality & Food