Clay County spotlights career and technical education; district reports nearly 2,000 industry certifications

Kelly Mosley, supervisor of career and technical education for Clay County District Schools, told the school board on Feb. 6 that the district recorded nearly 2,000 nationally recognized industry certifications in the 2023–24 school year and enrolls more than 11,000 students in 35 CTE programs across junior high and high schools.

Mosley said the district recruits teachers from industry, supports them through coaching and professional development, and works with 14 advisory boards to align programs with regional workforce needs. She said partnerships — including a newly approved memorandum of understanding with Clay County Fire and Rescue — are helping expand training and internship opportunities. "Our goal is to prepare students who are college and career ready, and students who are going to enroll, enlist, and become employed," Mosley said.

The presentation outlined how the district supports CTE instructors (many hired from industry) with new teacher coaching and monthly professional learning communities; features about 35 different programs; and lists industry certifications from vendors such as Adobe and CompTIA, plus nursing certifications from the Florida Board of Nursing. Mosley said the district saw an increase of roughly five industry certifications over the prior year and highlighted work-based learning, internships with employers such as VyStar and Garber, and dual-enrollment options.

Mosley described student recruitment and family outreach activities: two college-and-career events (one evening in September and a career fair during CTE Month), community tours of CTE programs, and mock job interviews hosted by business partners. She said nearly 70 employers, postsecondary institutions and military representatives were registered for the district career fair the following week and that almost 300 students had registered.

Looking ahead, Mosley said the district plans to add advanced manufacturing at Orange Park High School and continue updating equipment and facilities through grants. She also noted that every high school now offers health science to meet regional health-care demand.

Superintendent Michael Broski praised the CTE work, saying the district’s program is “renowned” in the region and that the mix of programs gives students non–college-bound options as well as college pathways.

The district asked community members and employers to support mock-interview and professional-clothing drives ahead of career events.