​CCSD Career Program Earns State Industry Certification​

Press release from CCSD:

March 30, 2023

A Cherokee County School District high school Career Pathway program has nailed its state industry certification!

Etowah High School’s Career Pathway Construction and Carpentry program, which is led by teacher Ty Casteel, several years ago began the challenging process of earning industry certification from the Georgia Department of Education and industry affiliate Construction Ready. Certification is considered an additional “stamp of excellence” for a Career Pathway program.

Etowah’s program this month received its official certification and a recognition banner, which were presented during the most recent meeting of its advisory board made up of industry professionals. The certification is for the 2022-2027 school year, and can be extended through a re-certification process.

“Congratulations to Etowah High School and Mr. Casteel on achieving this impressive accomplishment!” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “Earning state industry certification is the gold standard for career education in Georgia, and we’re so proud of the high quality instruction being provided to our students. Skilled professionals are vital to our community’s success, and Mr. Casteel is preparing his students every day to meet that need and build successful careers and lives.”

To earn the honor, programs must demonstrate the highest levels of excellence for curriculum and instruction; facilities and equipment; extra-curricular programs aligned with the Pathway, such as SkillsUSA for construction; and partnerships with industry professionals. The process involves both submitting information to the state department of education and welcoming evaluators for a school site visit and interviews.

“Etowah High School and Ty Casteel have worked hard to meet the requirements for industry certification of the Construction Pathway. Congratulations!” said Dr. Krista Webb, CCSD’s Career Technical and Agricultural Education curriculum coordinator. “Industry certification is a seal of approval on the construction education students are receiving. Students are then able to use this credential to gain entrance into post-secondary construction programs and job opportunities.”

Etowah’s Construction and Carpentry program joins a growing list of state industry certified Career Pathway programs offered in CCSD, including Architectural Drawing and Design at Etowah HS and Sequoyah HS, Audio/Video Technology and Film Industry at Sequoyah HS and Automotive Technology at Cherokee HS.

CCSD offers a total of 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives. The programs offer students opportunities to learn specific job skills and overall beneficial workplace skills, as well as valuable individual industry certifications, such as Carpentry Skills Connect for Construction and Carpentry students, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) for Automotive and Transportation students and Certified Nursing Assistant for Healthcare Science - Therapeutic Services and Patient Care.

This press release was produced by CCSD. The views expressed here are the author's own.