WHEREAS, in the Great State of Alaska, we strive towards the betterment of our citizens and look to provide every individual with access to quality educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, career and technical education (CTE) provides students with the knowledge, academic and technical skills, and training necessary to flourish in future careers and to become lifelong learners; and
WHEREAS, the high school graduation rate for students who complete two CTE courses in a single career pathway is about 97 percent and there are approximately 3,256 of these students in Alaska, with an additional 8,249 students enrolled in at least one CTE course; and
WHEREAS, career and technical education provides students with career exploration opportunities and authentic, meaningful experiences earlier in their academic careers, which enables them to make informed and advantageous decisions about their coursework as well as pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and
WHEREAS, CTE prepares students for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies, and CTE programs make academic content accessible to students by providing them with a hands-on context; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is facing an employee shortage and CTE trains and educates our Alaskan students locally, enhancing the probability that they will remain within the State and contribute to Alaska’s economy; and
WHEREAS, guaranteeing that Alaskan employers have access to a wide pool of qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring productivity among business and industry communities as well as continued economic growth and global competitiveness.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as:
Career and Technical Education Month
in Alaska, and encourage all citizens to familiarize themselves with the services and benefits offered by the CTE programs in Alaska and to support and participate in these programs.
Dated: February 1, 2024
