CTE Graduate Profile Book for Madison County

Quotes from Career Technical Education Leaders

Elizabeth Kaufman, Executive Director of Wilco “We became involved in the Graduate Booklet project because our students/alumni are Wilco. When we are out in the community and see them successful, it validates the education and training we provide. The relationships our teachers build extend beyond the classroom, and we hope that our alumni will stay connected through our advisory boards. They are our heroes and deserve to be spotlighted and recognized for their hard work. I hope it also provides an educational avenue for students in high school on the various paths that students can take to a rewarding career."

Career and Technical Education in Illinois Today’s cutting edge, rigorous and relevant career and technical education (CTE) programs prepares youth and adults for high wage, high skill and high demand careers. • At the secondary level, CTE is delivered through comprehensive high schools; CTE-focused secondary schools, which are schools that center secondary academics around specific careers; and area career centers, which provide supplementary career training to area high school students and adult learners. • At the postsecondary level, Illinois delivers CTE through its community college districts. In school year 2017-2018, 283,495 high school students and 70,105 postsecondary students participated in CTE in Illinois. In addition, 43,837 students were members of a career and technical student organization. There are many different CTE pathways that can lead to industry certification, an apprenticeship and post-secondary certificates and degrees. Students that enroll in CTE programs are both college and career ready because they have learned academic skills, job specific skills and employability skills. As you will see from this booklet, taking career and technical education classes can lead to a very rewarding career.

Cindy Stover, Executive Director Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education