DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Dothan City Schools are recognizing February as Alabama Career and Technical Education Month with their 17 career and technical education programs.

Through the month-long celebration, DCS is asking the community to join them in recognizing the month and the school system by engaging and learning more about the role career and technical education plays in the future success of students and its importance to academic achievement.

We hope to engage our community residents with the many things going on within our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses across the district. We want them to see the level of skills students gain here and how, working with people from the business community, we’re preparing young people to be productive career professionals and community leaders.

Chris Duke, Director of CTE and Workforce Development for the Dothan City Schools

According to DCS, two out of every three high school students in Alabama participate in career and technical education programs. The students who participate in these programs have opportunities to explore options in more than 300 career courses, earn advanced diplomas and credentials, and receive college credit.

Between Dothan Preparatory Academy (DPA), Carver 9th Grade Academy, and Dothan Tech, DCS has a total of 17 CTE programs:

  • Agriscience
  • Army JROTC
  • Automotive Technology (Dual Enrollment with Wallace Community College)
  • Aviation Maintenance  (Dual Enrollment with Alabama Aviation College, a division of Enterprise State Community College)
  • Biomedical Science
  • Building Construction
  • Business/Marketing
  • Cosmetology and Spa Techniques
  • Culinary Arts
  • Computer Technician (Dual Enrollment with Wallace Community College)
  • Education & Training – Early Childhood
  • Graphic Arts
  • Health Science
  • Pre Engineering
  • Television Production
  • Welding
  • PLTW – Automation and Robotics/Space and Flight (DPA)
  • PLTW – Computer Science (DPA)

According to the Association of Career and Technical Education, many of the country’s fastest-growing occupations require technical, communication, time management, and leadership skills taught in career and technical education programs.

To learn more about CTE month, contact Ryan Richards at ryrichards@dothan.k12.al.us.