As Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month comes to a close, it is worth taking a step back to recognize something important. The work happening in CTE classrooms across South Carolina does not start and stop with a calendar month. It is shaping futures every single day.

CTE sits at the core of SC Future Makers’ mission to connect education with meaningful career opportunities. These programs do more than introduce students to potential jobs. They provide direction, build confidence, and develop real-world skills that translate into real career pathways.

CTE ensures classrooms are directly connected to careers. Whether students are exploring advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, or agriculture, they are gaining hands-on experience, earning industry-recognized credentials, and learning how to contribute in a professional setting. They are not just learning theory. They are applying it.

For students, that means:

• Clearer pathways after graduation
• Practical skills that lead directly to employment
• Credentials that carry value in the workforce
• Confidence built through experience

For employers, CTE strengthens the talent pipeline. South Carolina businesses need workers who are skilled, adaptable, and ready to contribute from day one. Strong CTE programs help meet that need by aligning education with workforce demands.

For our state, the impact is long-term. A skilled workforce drives economic growth, attracts investment, and creates opportunity in every region of South Carolina.

CTE Month gives us a reason to celebrate these programs. But the real impact is ongoing. It is found in the welders, nurses, technicians, coders, mechanics, and future innovators who are preparing today to lead tomorrow.

As the month concludes, the focus remains on what matters most: aligning education with workforce needs and supporting the students who will drive South Carolina’s economy for years to come.