Career & Technical Education
Vance County Middle School and the STEM Early High School focus on Career Exploration. Students may learn the basics of keyboarding and word processing, computer science, public safety, and even automation and robotics.
Dr. Elaine Webb, Career and Technical Education Director
1724 Graham Ave
Henderson, NC 27536
252-492-2127 ext 2316
ewebb@vcs.k12.nc.us
November is Career Development Month
NCDA promotes career development through its annual celebration of National Career Development Month. Every November, career development professionals are encouraged to celebrate with career related activities.
November 17-21 is National Career Development Week.
November 19 is National Career Development Day.
Each year the NCDA sponsors a Poetry and Poster contest. The information can be found here.
National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) is celebrated on the first Friday of October, which is October 3, 2025. This national initiative aims to educate students, parents, and the public about the modern manufacturing industry and its career opportunities.
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Xello Introduction for Educators
Xello Introduction for Students
The purpose of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Vance County Schools is to prepare students for life after high school by providing them with career exploration opportunities, developing student work-force ready skills and enhancing learning experiences. Our priority is ensuring students are ready for the next step after graduation, that leads to gainful employment for living wage careers. CTE programs offer a range of training opportunities that go beyond traditional academic subjects, equipping students with practical skills and real-world experiences. CTE in Vance County Schools is working to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Elementary students are made aware of what a career is and are exposed to many careers along our 2 pathways through field trips, career fairs, guest speakers and CFI sponsored events. All fifth grade students will be issued a Career Awareness Activity Book in September.
Middle School students explore our 2 pathways via their middle school electives. Learners will also engage in careers along the opposite pathway from their school through S.L.I.C.E. Labs (Simulated Labs for Interactive Career Exploration) and innovation fairs, as well as Paxton Patterson Labs.
High School students engage in career preparation which includes students concentrating on high school career pathways where they can earn industry credentials and essential employability skills. By high school, students have had many unique, hands-on enhanced learning experiences through classes, mobile exploration units, S.L.I.C.E. Labs, counseling, and mentorship.
