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CTE showcase highlights internships, grants and Crown apprenticeship outcomes
Summary
District CTE director Amy Jones presented a program overview and student demonstrations showing career-pathway learning, internships and industry partnerships. The board heard that CTE pathway completers graduate at high rates and that Crown apprenticeship participants are securing well-paying jobs.
Dr. Amy Jones, director of Career and Technical Education for Lenoir County Public Schools, presented an overview of CTE programming and introduced students and staff who showcased year‑to‑date activities and hands-on projects.
Jones said CTE courses are offered in sixth through 12th grades across the district, serve over 2,000 students, and support 19 career pathways with strong partnerships with Lenoir Community College. She told the board that "98 percent of LCPS students who complete a CTE pathway graduate from high school with their 4 year cohort." She also listed multiple recent grants, credential attainment and industry partnerships that expand student opportunities.
Students from counseling and mental health, DECA, horticulture and other pathways described career‑ready projects, competitions and internships. A student intern, Tristan Harrison, spoke about a placement with Kinston Public Services and his hands‑on experience working with city vehicles and equipment. Steve Miller, Kinston public services director, praised the arrangement and said it revealed local career opportunities students may not otherwise recognize.
Jones outlined the Crown Equipment apprenticeship program: over five years, 13 students have completed the year‑long apprenticeship and six are currently employed at Crown full time earning between $51,000 and $64,000 annually (with overtime possible). She said the district has also added opportunities with Smithfield Foods, and that students earned more than 1,300 industry-recognized credentials this fall alone, including OSHA 10, nurse aide, Autodesk and Adobe credentials.
Board members commended the staff and students; several board members noted the value of hands‑on programs for postsecondary and workforce readiness.
