Dozens of counselors from the Public Schools of Robeson County took part in the first PSRC CTE Career Institute.
The Career Institute kicked off Monday to spotlight the 12 Career and Technical Education programs at the Robeson County Career Center. The high and middle school attendees rotate between the classes over a three-day period.
CTE Director Herman Locklear says the event is designed to help high school and middle school counselors have a better understanding of what the CTE courses are as they work with students on class planning, career choices, career cluster pathways and careers after high school.
“Our hope is to have counselors to be so knowledgeable of the program that as they talk to students, they can instantly say ‘here is your match’ at the Robeson County Career Center, instead of students being placed there and they do not want to be there,” Locklear said. “I think it is best said to have students choose a career and not a job.”
Gina Jacobs, a counselor at Magnolia School, works with students in grades 6 to 8. Jacobs said her school is offering more career information for students in lower grades and that she now has greater knowledge to share with them.
“I did not know a lot about the Career Center. When students would ask me what drafting is in reading the course description, it was hard to articulate what that is into language they can understand,” Jacobs said. “Now, I feel like I can describe using the 3-D Model maker, building bridges or using the computer to draft house plans. So I feel like I can explain it to my kids in a more simplistic way that they can understand and be excited about.”
After the CTE Career Institute wraps up this week, the counselors will take packets back to their schools. Educators like Tyler Locklear say they have so much more to offer students as they help them plan their future.
“In the fall I want to talk to the kids with the detailed program such as how masonry goes beyond just being about laying brick, but there is an art to it,” Locklear said.