CTAE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT – ALL STUDENTS ARE NOT COLLEGE MATERIAL

            I happen to have been a student that did not have any intentions to attend college.  My junior year of high school, I finally got across to my parents and counselors that I had no intention to attend college.  This was information that my parents accepted; but there was another plan put into place.  Their reply and encouragement came with do as you like, but we would like for you enroll in training for a “career.”  I know first-hand that CTAE is extremely valuable today as it was when I was getting my training.  I enrolled in order to receive training during high school; by the time high school graduation came; I only needed three additional months training to be ready for the state board exam.  I found employment immediately. This career path brought me to my present employment.

            I have friends that have a bachelor degree and cannot find employment in the field they studied, only minimal paying jobs. I agree and supports the ideas that CTAE is needed critically in our world today, so many students do not plan to enter college.  I give them the same advice given me; pursue training for a career.  I support training our students and assisting them to have marketable skills.  Who knows, it may take them numerous years, as it did me, to decide that if I was going to obtain the profession I desired, going to college was a necessity.  I attribute that my success was achievable by being involved in a CTAE program.