Washington, Fayette schools receive grants for career and technical education programs
A Washington County school district and two Fayette County career and technical centers were among 54 Pennsylvania schools that received a portion of $4.3 million in grants through the Competitive Equipment Grants program.
The program helps with the purchase of new equipment for approved CTE programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs.
Trinity Area School District and Fayette County Career & Technical Center each received $85,000, the maximum amount awarded, while Connellsville Area Career & Technical Center received $74,320.
School districts and CTCs can use the grants to update or purchase equipment used in the training of students in approved career and technical education programs. The programming must provide students with hands-on use of the equipment as part of the curriculum.
“Pennsylvania schools innovate every year to offer CTE programs that truly prepare students for jobs that will actually be there when they graduate. Traditional programs like welding and construction are as critical as ever, but CTE programs are continuing to expand into areas like healthcare and law enforcement,” said Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Investments like the grants announced today ensure that all students have an opportunity to explore their interests and chart their own course to success after high school.”
Trinity Area School District will use its grant to purchase a heavy equipment simulator for the vocational agriculture career program.
Students will use the simulator to learn how to operate heavy equipment and will earn credentials to ready themselves for the workforce and prepare them for heavy equipment operation.
There are more than 80 CTCs across Pennsylvania – and even more CTE programs offered in high school buildings in many of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts, providing PDE-approved programs to thousands of students each school year. The programs are built on foundations of academic rigor and high expectations for student learning and success, and give students the opportunity to earn college credit and participate in advanced placement or honors courses while working toward CTE credentials.