Nearly 150 seniors graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ CTE program  

CTE STUDENT SHAKYNA GOLPHIN WAS ACCEPTED INTO ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY. They’ve earned certifications in fields classified as ‘essential’ professions One hundred forty-six seniors from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education program are heading out into the world already ahead of the game. From machine operations, carpentry and auto body repair, to cosmetology, early childhood … Continued The post Nearly 150 seniors graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ CTE program   appeared first on New Pittsburgh Courier.

Nearly 150 seniors graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ CTE program   

CTE STUDENT SHAKYNA GOLPHIN WAS ACCEPTED INTO ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

They’ve earned certifications in fields classified as ‘essential’ professions

One hundred forty-six seniors from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education program are heading out into the world already ahead of the game.

From machine operations, carpentry and auto body repair, to cosmetology, early childhood education and emergency response technology, these students have spent the past few years learning different trades and skills that can put them into money-making careers right now.

Others in the CTE program are deciding to continue their education at a two-year or four-year institution.

No matter how they slice it, CTE Executive Director Angela Mike praised the students who earned their certifications in the 16 various CTE programs offered at six PPS high schools.

ANIYA L. GIVNER, FIRST PRIZE WINNER OF THE ESSAY CONTEST.

“The challenges presented by the pandemic were a tremendous hurdle for our students,” Mike told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “Through hard work, perseverance, and the support of our teachers, administrators, and supporters, this year’s senior class has not just overcome those challenges; they have triumphed. As they transition into post-secondary education institutions, the workforce, labor unions, and the military, the promises of CTE are being realized through them.”

The CTE celebration for its seniors was held, May 4, at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Building, South Side. Robert Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work, was the keynote speaker.

Mike said that most of the students graduated from the CTE program with more than one certification. That can only bode well in a world where the more skills a person as, the more jobs will be available to them.

“Certifications allow students to show that they have specific, industry-needed skills and abilities. In this COVID-era  job market where employers are finding it difficult to identify qualified candidates, industry certifications can increase job prospects, marketability to employers, and employability for our students,” Mike told the Courier.

In the Allegheny Conference on Community Development’s 2016 “Inflection Point” report, which detailed the supply, demand and future of work in the Pittsburgh region, the report discussed how Pittsburgh “lacks a deep pipeline of younger talent. Over the next 10 years, 1.2 million workers will need to be hired or upskilled here, while more than a quarter of a million enter retirement.”

“CTE is helping to prepare students to be part of the pipeline” to fill the potential jobs that will be and are becoming available, Mike said.

ents for our students.” 

CTE Student Darryl Perkins-Robinson was accepted into California University of Pa.

Some of the students who completed the CTE program are: Andrew Henning Jr., a Brashear graduate from the M-PAC program who will attend Pittsburgh Technical College. He earned the following certifications: OSHA General Industry, Adobe Certified Associate—Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Certified Associate—Web Communication (Dreamweaver); Brennan Keyser, a Brashear graduate from the Machine Operations program, who will attend New Century Careers. He earned the following certifications: OSHA General Industry; NIMS Machining Level I Manual Turning Between Centers; NIMS Machining Level I Measurement, Materials & Safety; and, NIMS Machining Level I Planning, Benchwork, Layout; Kasim Seymore, a Brashear graduate from the Automotive Body Repair program, who will attend Lincoln University. He earned the following certifications:  OSHA General Industry (Automotive); S/P2 Collision Repair & Refinish Safety; S/P2 Collision Repair & Refinish Pollution Prevention; and Lifting it Right; Amyrah Mason McClean, a Westinghouse graduate from the Health Careers Technology program, who will attend Morgan State University. She earned the following certifications:  OSHA Healthcare; BLS Healthcare Provider; and Personal Home Direct Care Staff; Mark Black, a Westinghouse graduate from the Emergency Response Technology program, who plans to become an EMT. He earned the following certifications: NIMS ICS 200 Series;  NIMS ICS 700 Series; NIMS ICS 800 Series; Intro to Fire Service; Bloodborne Pathogens; Carbon Monoxide Response; and FEMA 907 Active Shooter; Shane Foster, a Carrick graduate from the Carpentry program, who was accepted into the Carpenters’ Union Apprenticeship program. He earned the following certifications:  OSHA—Construction; S/P2—Construction; Articulated Ladder; Mobile Ladder, Single & Extension Ladder; and Step Ladder; Lexibella Miknevich, a Carrick graduate from the from the Health Careers Technology program, who will attend Chatham University.  She earned the following certifications: SHA Healthcare; BLS Healthcare Provider; Breanna McKenzie, an Allderdice graduate from the Engineering Technology program, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh. She earned the following certifications: OSHA General Industry; Autodesk Certified User; Shakyna Golphin, a Milliones graduate from the Entertainment Technology program, who will attend Alabama State University.  She earned the following certifications: OSHA General Industry; Adobe Certified Associate—Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop; and Adobe Certified Associate —Video Communication; and Hawa Muzhimu, a Perry graduate from the the Health Careers Technology program, who will attend CCAC.  She earned the following certifications:  OSHA Healthcare; BLS Healthcare Provider; and, Heartsaver First Aid.

JAYDEN T. MCDONALD, LEFT.

“CTE is in a good place right now,” Mike told the Courier exclusively. “We recently received the funding we needed to hire a co-op coordinator, a position that will help strengthen the school to work pipeline. We have new and exciting partnerships that have provided tremendous supports for our students in terms of their development as budding professionals, and we are developing those relationships to create job placements for our students.” 

CTE Student Anthony Douthett Jr. was accepted into the Carpenters’ Union.

CTE Student Amyrah Mason McClean was accepted into Morgan State University. (Pictured with Interim PPS Supt. Dr. Wayne Walters)

 

CTE Student Aniya Givner committed to a cosmetology entrepreneurship with mentor Robyn Greer.

 

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