RELEASE DATE: February 29, 2008
CONTACT: Audrey Bailey, (919) 807- 6963
Emerging careers College Tech Prep conference focus
Raleigh - Representatives from several high profile businesses, offering the top emerging career pathways in North Carolina, will address a statewide audience on preparing “Generation Y” for the global workforce. Some of the companies represented will include: Novartis, Novant Health, GlaxoSmithKline, United Southern Industries, Hendrick Automotive, Nypro, Bectin-Dickenson, Society of the Plastics Industry, and Bemis Corporation.
The North Carolina Community College System, in partnership with the Department of Public Instruction, presents the 2008 Annual College Tech Prep conference at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, March 3 -5, 2008. The conference theme this year is, “Emerging Careers in North Carolina – From an Employer’s Perspective.”
his year's focus is determining and filling the specific needs of employers. Representatives from private industry will be on hand to provide targeted information for those involved in Tech Prep. These representatives will tell conference participants exactly what they look for in employees and how the public schools and community colleges can ensure that their graduates are ready for the jobs employers have to offer.
College Tech Prep is a course of study designed to meet the need for high school graduates to have more technically oriented educational backgrounds. Through a blending of high-level academic and vocational courses, College Tech Prep prepares students for the collegiate-level courses required by two-year community college programs. College Tech Prep is funded through the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998.
The conference will offer 54 workshops, including 21 that specifically target “21st Century Careers.” Sessions include presentations on logistics, the plastics industry, biotechnology, health care, and engineering architecture. One session will focus on the meaning of “computer literacy” in this rapidly changing realm of technology.
The Tuesday, March 4 noon luncheon moderator is nationally known consultant John Metcalf, of the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce. Metcalf recently published the “State of the North Carolina Workforce.” During the conversation business leaders will discuss why it’s important to have access to an academically and technically prepared and talented workforce and how we prepare now for workforce needs in five years.
In addition to the employer perspective, professionals from community colleges and the public schools will share best practices. Topics include everything from, “Pathways to Employment for Special Populations” to “The Perfect Storm—Teachers Must Steer a New Course,” a session that looks at how technology, federal and state mandates, and the changing needs and attention requirements of tech-savvy “Generation Y” kids have changed the classroom.
A highlight of the conference is Wednesday morning, when the Grimsley ~ James ~ Stogner College Tech Prep Awards will be presented. The awards are in honor of the late Joe Grimsley, a former community college president, and Doug James and Myrtle Stogner. All three were pioneers of North Carolina CTP. The awards recognize outstanding effort in promotion, partnership, and worksite learning. An Overall College Tech Prep award goes to the consortium of the school system(s) and community college that uses multiple reform initiatives to get more students in College Tech Prep and lower dropout and remediation rates. They must also apply reforms when using sequenced courses from high school to the community college and in creating a more integrated curriculum. Improving the involvement of all stakeholders is also an important factor. A complete list of award recipients will be released on Wednesday.
Before the award presentation, the audience will hear several Tech Prep success stories. They will include individuals who went from high school to work, community college, and university. Each will share a personal story of triumph.
For more information about the conference, contact Bob Witchger at (919) 807-7126, witchgerb@nccommunitycolleges.edu.
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Friday, February 29, 2008 02:44:56 PM
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