During the City Council meeting on February 7th, Mayor Paul Callaghan read a proclamation designating the month of February 2023 as Career and Technical Education Month.

WHEREAS; February 1-28, 2023, has been designated Career and Technical Education Month® by the Association for Career and Technical Education; and

WHEREAS; career and technical education offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary for true career readiness

WHEREAS; students in career and technical education programs participate in authentic, meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement; and

WHEREAS; career and technical education provides students with career exploration opportunities earlier in their educational experience, which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and

WHEREAS; leaders from business and industry nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE-related fields, including healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and information technology; and

WHEREAS; career and technical education prepares students for these and other fulfilling careers by offering integrated programs of study that link secondary and postsecondary education and lead to the attainment of industry-recognized credentials; and

WHEREAS; career and technical education programs ensure that employers have access to a qualified and thriving workforce, ensuring America is a strong and competitive economy;

Now, Therefore, I, Paul Callaghan, Mayor of the City of Rochester, New Hampshire, on behalf of the Rochester City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2023 as Career Technical Education week.