Students explore new career options through CTAE program

photo courtesy of Jared Michaels Sparks fly as senior Jared Michaels uses welding equipment in the Careers Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program.

Students are discovering the numerous career and trade programs available through the Careers Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program at The King’s Academy. CTAE helps students prepare for unique occupational and trade opportunities outside the traditional classroom.

“We've partnered with [Chattahoochee Technical College] so that we can allow our students to use their state dual enrollment funding to earn technical certificates while they're in high school,” Guidance Counselor Mrs. Ashley Smith said. 

CTAE is an umbrella term used to categorize many specific jobs far more diverse than its name suggests. The programs it provides access to also take advantage of Georgia state funding, meaning students can learn these skills through off-campus classes. 

“You have your 30 hours that you can use that are free from the state,” Mrs. Smith said. “You can use them to earn technical certificates through Chattahoochee Tech. So those would be in things like cosmetology, coding, cybersecurity and accounting certificates. I think sometimes, there's an idea that it's only trade related certificates, like welding or automotive or plumbing, but there are a lot of other areas that students can pursue as well.”

CTAE classes take a different approach to education through hands-on learning, with lessons lasting longer than three hours. Due to these class times, most students will prefer to take only one CTAE class a semester. Taking CTAE classes also allows students to drop grade-level electives for that specific semester at TKA.

“For example, if you are a junior, and you're taking graphic design in the fall, but you are looking to get your HVAC certification, you can take an HVAC class that fall and opt out of graphic design and have a study hall,” Mrs. Smith said. “It can be a little bit difficult to navigate, but we've seen a lot of students be successful, and it works at King's because you're only here two days a week.”

Beyond learning valuable transferable trades, students are provided opportunities to apprentice under professionals with real work experience in the classes they teach. Students, through CTAE programs, have met with employers looking for people with the right skills for the job.

“I use my CTAE time as an avenue to get a job during college when I graduate here,” said senior Jared Michaels. “I have two certificates: Basic welding certificate and advanced basics. In the summer, I'm getting my Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) certificate as well.”

The CTAE program is aimed towards students seeking work skills applicable outside of high school and college. Its many programs help students broaden the scope of possible career paths to venture into.

“It [CTAE] provides an avenue for you to experience life outside of King’s, and it gives very good insight into what people actually are like in the trades,” Michaels said. “It teaches you a lot of valuable skills, not just with the trade you're doing. It teaches you social skills and how to delegate others; I think that's a very important skill as a leader and everyone should be able to lead in some aspect of their lives.”