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CTE director highlights high graduation and credential rates, new courses and industry grants
Summary
Dr. Randy Byrd told the board the Union County Career and Technology Center reports a 99.3% 4‑year graduation rate for concentrators, 96% credential attainment (versus 77% statewide), enrollment of roughly 932 CTE seats, and new courses including a pilot AI pathway and a phlebotomy certification partnership with Spartanburg Community College.
Dr. Randy Byrd, director of the Union County Career and Technology Center, presented program results, new offerings and industry partnerships to the board. Byrd said the center's fall enrollment accounts for 932 CTE seats (noting duplicates across blocks), and reported a 4‑year graduation rate of 99.3% for concentrators. Byrd highlighted academic proficiency and areas for growth, noting English and science proficiency below state averages and math scores trailing state benchmarks.
The presentation recorded that 96% of CTE students obtained state or national credentials last year compared with a 77% state average, and that last year's completers totaled 137 with a goal of 145 this year. Byrd described new and upcoming offerings: an honors medical terminology course, an AI pilot with 16 students currently and plans for a four‑course pathway with certification, a phlebotomy cohort run with Spartanburg Community College, and future plans for HVAC, mechatronics, cybersecurity and early childhood education pathways. Byrd also thanked industry partners: Timken Foundation ($40,000 grant for an auto paint booth) and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare (about $20,000 in donated medical equipment).
Board members asked about employer partnerships for AI curriculum and the pathway's industry alignment; Byrd said employer engagement is planned as the pathway expands.
What happens next: the CTE will continue course development, scale credential opportunities, and follow up with industry partners to align internships and certifications.
