RHS Career Tech Program seeing record growth after completion of $6.2 million expansion/renovation

You couldn't hide the big smile on the face of Dr. AnnaKay Holland Tuesday morning at the Open House for Russellville City Schools'  Career and Technical Education Building. 

And why would she want to? Holland, the Director of Career Technical Education for Russellville City Schools, her faculty and students welcomed visitors with tours of the new and improved CTE Center Tuesday.

 With the recent completion of a $6.2 million expansion and renovation building project, the Career and Technical Education Department will allow more students than ever to build their resumes and develop job-ready skills, whether their plans after high school include additional education or immediate entry into the work force.

And Russellville High School students are taking notice, with a record 688 students this year taking or having completed at least two Career Tech courses. The program has seen record growth, with a growing itinerary of programs that will offer immediate certification for job market entry after high school.

Students who complete at least two career tech classes are more likely to be employed post-graduation, have higher income and are most likely to go on to college and earn a degree or certification.

And that's reason for Holland to smile.

Recent Career Tech additions include a bay that serves as an operating fire station for Fire Science education.

“Our philosophy is the 'three E's,' employable, enrolled or enlist,” Holland said. “We want to provide our students with training that will allow them to secure employment after high school, and dual enrollment courses to  supplement their education if they choose to attend college and training to help prepare those wanting to enlist in the military.

“From elementary school up, we are exposing our students to the benefits of CTE. There's no longer a stigma that you have to go to college after high school. We have successful partnerships with our local economic development boards and local employers and manufacturers so that students will have that option available to them after graduation,” she added.

One of those programs leading to immediate post-graduation employment is welding, with a  newly-expanded state-of-the-art welding facility, a multi-million investment with 16 welding booths for students. That's double the capacity from past years and the facility was described as one of the best in Alabama by state administrators during a recent visit to RHS' Career Tech Center.

With the addition of seven new classrooms, this was the first significant upgrade/expansion for the Career Tech Building, constructed in 1970. 

Students can enroll in CTE courses in Army JROTC, Automotive Technology, Building and Construction, Business Management and Administration, Business Information Technology (Computer Science), Cybersecurity, Engineering, Family and Consumer Science/Education Training, Finance, Fire Science, HVAC, Healthcare Science, Plant Science, Welding and Career Coach courses at RHS, as well as a Business Management & Administration course at Russellville Middle School.

The renovations included the addition of a bay that houses an operating fire station for Fire Science training and education. EMT and Paramedic training is another new addition for Career Tech at Russellville.  

Along with Career Coach Alissa Moore, Holland has prioritized introducing Russellville City  Schools students to Career Tech education and helping them learn they no longer have to make a choice between AP courses or Career Tech. Students may enroll in both, helping bolster their education and job marketability after graduation.