After an October mini-course on professional communication, students from Allegheny County’s four career and technology centers (CTCs) came together in December to focus on collaboration as part of the Consortium’s Leadership in Career & Technical Education (LCTE) program.
LCTE is designed to help CTC students enrolled in vocational programs ranging from auto mechanics to culinary arts build leadership skills so that they’re prepared to take on leadership or supervisory roles in their chosen fields.
Four CTCs participate in the program—A.W. Beattie, Forbes Road, Parkway West and Steel Center. LCTE offers their students four joint-sessions during the school year, each a mini-course on an important leadership skill such as communication or collaboration. Between sessions, students practice the skills in their home schools as part of the day-to-day curriculum.
The joint sessions also offer other supports for developing leadership. For example, during the December mini-course, the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania engaged the students in discussions about identifying possible mentors and how mentors can serve as sounding boards and advisors. Along with the Consortium and the CTCs, the Mentoring Partnership and Leadership Pittsburgh are partners in offering LCTE.
Additionally, the joint sessions offer activities designed to help students practice the soft skills involved in leadership and opportunities for networking with peers from other CTCs and professionals on hand to support LCTE.
