Pitt Community College is growing its career and technical education (CTE) programs by working with Pitt County Schools high school students to help fill local employer needs.
In December 2019, Pitt Community College was awarded $200,000 by the Golden LEAF Board of Directors to expand the college’s existing Technical Academy by adding electrical and industrial systems CTE programs. The Academy has since added architectural technology and biotechnology. Golden LEAF provided funding for the first two years of a project coordinator who will recruit students and manage all aspects of the program. Completers of the Technical Academy will finish high school with one year of community college credit, significantly reducing the time required to complete their associate degree.
The Technical Academy connects participants to local apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. In the first cohort, eight students completed the program. For the 2021-2022 school year, the program had 49 students in the Technical Academy.
“It takes time to get the word out so students know about the program,” said Matthews. “Being able to go to high schools and speak to students about career options they may have never heard about is so important. This program gives students a chance to seek opportunities they never knew about. This is a major win for Pitt Community College, Pitt County, and our community businesses.”
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