FRANKLIN LIVING—

The Franklin County Schools system is off to a great start in 2019-2020. We are excited to have many new programs to offer our students this year.

Jonathan King is the new career technical director for Franklin County Schools. He said this a great time for students to be involved in career tech education, a great avenue for students to enter the workforce in high-wage, high-demand jobs without accruing the debt that comes along with attending a college or university – but still earn the same wage or higher as those who enter the workforce after college.

The Franklin County Career Technical Center offers students eight different programs: health science, business education, collision repair, cosmetology, industrial maintenance, cabinetmaking, drafting and welding. Career Tech programs are also offered in each of the five high schools in the county: agriscience, family and consumer science, business education and health science.

All of these programs offer career readiness indicators to the students, which prepare them to enter the workforce when they graduate high school – industry credentials students earn in the program that certify they are capable of performing in their given industry.

The drafting and welding programs are dual-enrolled with Northwest-Shoals Community College. Students enrolled in these programs are receiving college credit along with their credits for high school.

The FCCTC began offering three new programs for the 2019-2020 school year. An aviation program was started at Phil Campbell High School, and students in this program are afforded the opportunity to learn about the aviation industry, where there is a high demand for employees. Students will have the opportunity to earn their drone pilot license and will be prepared to take their pilot test upon completion of the program. Thanks to some community members, they also are to train on a flight simulator in the school.

An early childhood education program was started at Belgreen. This program is also dual-enrolled with NW-SCC. Students completing this program will hold a short-term certificate and will be qualified to be employed Pre-K auxiliary teachers.

The FCCTC also began a work-based learning program – for students who are concentrators in a program, who are allowed to leave school to work a job related to the program they’re in – and partnered with NW-SCC to offer a manufacturing skill standards council class this year. Students attaining the credential are guaranteed an interview at the new Mazda Toyota plant being constructed in Madison.

Career tech education is at the forefront in Alabama. With all the jobs coming to our surrounding area, students can be a step ahead by enrolling in career tech programs. They will gain valuable knowledge and credentials that will make them more marketable as they enter the workforce upon the completion of their education.

Greg Hamilton is superintendent of Franklin County Schools. He and his wife Jessica have four children: Taylor, Carolyna, Dakota and Ty.