By Glenn McGlothlin

glenn.mcglothlin@jessaminejournal.com

February is national Career and Technical month, and Jessamine Career and Technology Center is taking this month to celebrate its students and their achievements.

Students who participated in Career and Technical Student Organizations were celebrated at a luncheon on Wednesday.

JCTC began in 2006 and serves students from East and West Jessamine High Schools as well as The Providence School. In addition, Brown said JCTC also accepts students as young as the eighth grade.The school uses state curriculum guidelines, but also applies input from the community.

“Career and technical education is an investment for the Jessamine County community,”Mallory Brown, business and marketing teacher at JCTC said. “Students are learning the skills needed to be successful in a future career and JCTC welcomes community involvement and input.”

Brown also said the school has many specialized fields for its students. In 2017, some graduates earned licenses including Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Veterinary Assisting, EMT, ServSafe, Kentucky Early Childcare, Fire Management FEMA, Nutritional Food Science, ASK Fundamentals of Business or Microsoft Technology Associate.

“JCTC offers students the opportunity to explore several career program areas including agriculture, biomedical sciences, business and marketing, pre-law and public services,” Brown said.

She said students who are a part of these organizations have an extra opportunity to grow.

“These students extend their learning outside the classroom through state and national competitions for their respective organization, community service and fundraising.”