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Horry County Schools spotlights CTE partnerships, internships and student outcomes
Summary
District CTE leaders told the Curriculum Committee that Career and Technical Education programs produced high graduation rates, expanded industry partnerships and more student internships, and described events and advisory-board work that feed the local workforce pipeline.
Horry County Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) leaders presented updates to the Curriculum Committee on partnerships, student outcomes and new initiatives that they say are strengthening the local workforce pipeline.
The presentation, delivered by Tashina Chestnut, CTE director; Dr. Wendy Holmes, program quality; and Amanda Vanetta, work-based learning specialist, emphasized industry ties, student internships and competitive student organizations as evidence of program growth and employer interest.
CTE leaders told the committee that the district’s CTE seniors graduated at a 98.4% rate in 2023–24, above the state benchmark the presenters cited and higher than the district average. “Our focus for this year has been improved workforce readiness, stronger regional economies, and greater student success,” said Tashina Chestnut, CTE director. The presenters said those outcomes reflect a mix of classroom instruction, industry certifications and work-based experiences.
The district highlighted several employer partnerships and events. Presenters said more than 50 businesses hosted student internships this year, and described collaboration with Horry Georgetown Technical College on a “Build Something Amazing” skilled-trades event that paired senior students with technical programs. Amanda Vanetta described two main engagement paths for businesses: career exploration activities (company tours, mock interviews, job shadows) and service on school- or district-level CTE advisory boards that inform industry-relevant certifications and local labor-market needs.
Presenters and board members also reviewed in-district events such as a hospitality/marketing partnership tied to the Myrtle Beach Classic, a Connections Café for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and a health-science career fair. The presentations included examples of students touring event operations, meeting professionals and connecting to apprenticeships or on-the-job training.
The district noted that Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) provide competitive pathways: presenters listed Loris High School, Saugustee High School and Saint James High School for DECA placements; Aynor, Conway and Loris for FFA; AAST and North Myrtle Beach for FIRST Robotics; and AAST for Technology Student Association (TSA) placements.
Board members and staff highlighted employer feedback that Horry County students are both prepared and desirable hires. “They’re curious. They’re innovators, and there’s opportunities in Horry County, South Carolina for our students,” a representative from a partner organization said in a video shown during the presentation.
The presentation concluded with a request for continued community partnerships and encouragement for more businesses to host internships, advisory-board participation and career-exploration events that district staff say are a key pipeline into local employment.
Ending: Committee members praised the programs and the district’s outreach to employers, noting that sustained employer engagement and advisory-board input are central to maintaining credentialed pathways and internship opportunities for graduates.
