WHEREAS, February 1-28, 2019, has been designated Career and Technical Education Month by the Association for Career and Technical Education; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for true career readiness; and

WHEREAS, students in career and technical education programs participate in authentic, meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education provides students with career exploration opportunities earlier in their educational experience, which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and

WHEREAS, leaders from business and industry nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE-related fields, including healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing and information technology; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education prepares students for these and other fulfilling careers by offering integrated progrms of study that link secondary and postsecondary education and lead to the attainment of industry-recognized credentials; and

WHEREAS, ensuring that employers have access to a qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring productivity among the business and industry communities as well as continued American economic growth and global competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, The Smith-Hughes Act, the first act of Congress to provide funding for career and technical education, was signed into law 101 years ago and allows us to celebrate how far CTE has come to become a powerhouse of America's economy;

THEREFORE, I, Pascal Mubenga, Superintendent, do hereby proclaim February 1-28, 2019, as Career and Technical Education Month in Durham Public Schools.