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Fayetteville District outlines expanded CTE pathways, internships and new H2 opportunities
Summary
The board heard a detailed CTE briefing covering renamed pathways, expanded employer partnerships, state H2 designations and plans for pre‑apprenticeships and internships; staff said the district is pursuing over 400 internship slots and new grant opportunities tied to H2 status.
Lisa Hudson Pillar, the district’s director of career and technical education, told the board the district is restructuring CTE into updated "pathways" and growing employer partnerships to increase students’ access to work‑based learning and credentials.
"This is an exciting time to be in CTE," Pillar said, describing new pathway names and program changes designed to align to industry demand and grant opportunities. She highlighted the district’s patient care technician program, the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) outcomes, and expanded pre‑apprenticeship offerings delivered in partnership with state organizations.
Why it matters: Pillar said the pathway redesign is data‑driven, drawing on SIP and SOC codes and statewide labor market information, and that securing H2 (high‑wage, high‑demand) designations can unlock additional funding for programs. She said health care services recently received H2 recognition statewide, which could help the district’s patient‑care technician pathway access new grants.
Details from the presentation: Pillar described dozens of pathway components—agriculture, skilled trades, media creation, pre‑engineering, sports medicine and more—while flagging several specific developments: an expanded photography/advertising and graphic design pathway, consolidation of television and film into a media creation pathway, and two state‑recognized pre‑apprenticeship programs (one using NCCER curriculum and one with ABC Arkansas).
On internships, Pillar said the district has identified roughly 400 employer internship "slots" and that more than 200 students had already signed up as interested for the coming year. "That's my understanding," she said, noting scheduling will limit how many students can actually be placed but expressing cautious optimism about growth.
Board members pressed staff for detail on the internship figure and the H2 designation. Pillar clarified the 400 number refers to employer‑side slots available and affirmed ongoing advocacy for regional H2 calculations (currently H2 is defined statewide). She added that work‑based learning will emphasize the district’s three E’s: enlistment, enrollment and employment.
What’s next: Pillar said staff will continue to refine pathway lists and seek community and industry partners; some pathway changes and formal adoptions will return to the board through the consent agenda or future presentations. The district also plans outreach events (including a signing day) to connect students with employers and apprenticeship pipelines.
Sources: Presentation and Q&A with Lisa Hudson Pillar, CTE director.
