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Spring Quarterly Newsletter

Howdy, Trade and Industrial members of ACTE!

Calling all trailblazers and trendsetters in the world of trade and industrial education!!! As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, it's time to wake up, smell the fresh pollenated air, sneeze eighty times, take the latest and greatest in allergy medicine technology, and then finally add some zest into our professional journey with the latest scoop from the ACTE Trade and Industrial (T&I) Education Division.

While the spring season brings allergies, maybe from the pollen or maybe from the standardized testing season, however with graduation right around the corner, it’s time to hustle and bustle to finish strong and not let this amazing time of year simply pass us by like the eclipse. But fear not! The ACTE Trade & Industrial (T&I) Education Division is here to bring you the latest industry updates, behind-the-scenes tales, and inspiration to keep you shining bright. Let's spring into action and make waves in the world of trade and industry together!

Below you will not only find opportunities within ACTE, but opportunities directly from our T&I Business an Industry sponsors – we reach out to make sure we are bringing you every opportunity that we possibly can. Additionally, I will be sharing stories of CTE success, so please reach out to me if you would like to share your story.

This quarter we find ourselves in Maryland, land of "fatti maschii, parole femine", an old Italian proverb that translates to "strong deeds, gentle words." You’ll find this mantra in the work of an inspirational baking and pastry arts teacher, Chef Josie Wolfe, and her story from student to teacher.

Josie Wolfe's journey from student leader to esteemed instructor at the Center of Applied Technology North (CAT North) in Severn, Maryland, is a testament to the transformative power of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). For Josie, CTSOs have been more than just extracurricular activities—they have been catalysts for personal and professional growth.

As a former SkillsUSA National Officer, Josie's involvement in CTSOs shaped her in profound ways. Not only did she excel academically and emerge as a leader within the organization, but she also forged lifelong connections, including marrying another SkillsUSA National Officer who now works in his field of study, cybersecurity. This personal connection underscores the impact that CTSOs can have on every aspect of one's life.

The connections forged through CTSOs extend beyond personal relationships; they also open doors to professional opportunities. Now, as an instructor, Josie continues to harness the power of CTSOs to enrich the learning experience for her students. Through her professional baking and pastry program at CAT North, she integrates CTSO activities into her curriculum, providing students with opportunities to develop not only technical skills but also essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and adaptability.

Under Josie's guidance, her students have achieved remarkable success, earning gold medals in prestigious competitions and garnering recognition for their workplace skills. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the growth and development that CTSOs facilitate, both personally and professionally. Reflecting on her journey, Josie shares, "CTSOs have played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally. They have provided me with invaluable opportunities for growth, and it's incredibly rewarding to now be able to pass on that experience to the next generation of students."

As Josie continues to inspire and empower her students, her story serves as a reminder of the profound impact that CTSOs can have on individuals and communities. With educators like Josie Wolfe leading the way, the future of career and technical education shines brighter than ever, fueled by the lifelong connections and opportunities fostered through CTSOs.

Thank you, Josephine, for letting us share your story. I'm thrilled once again to share with you many upcoming opportunities throughout the year that will support your needs as a trade and industrial instructor. Thank you for your commitment to our CTE students, to your CTE programs, and to the community and family that surround you and your schools. If you are interested in sharing news of your CTE program success, or if you are looking to volunteer your talents or your stories, please email me directly at btaylor@tamu.edu

Kindest regards,

Bart Taylor

VP, ACTE Trade and Industrial Education Division

Thank you to the Trade and Industrial Education Division’s quarterly newsletter sponsor!

Opportunities from our Trade & Industrial sponsors

Apply for the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence!

We are excited to announce that the application period is now open for the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence®. The prize honors outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs. The application deadline is Friday, May 3.

Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric offers two courses for welding educators in the month of June. The first course is called "Beyond the Booth" and is designed for instructors who have little to no formal training in teaching. This five-day course will prepare instructors to deliver an updated curriculum in an innovative classroom and lab environment. The second course is called "Welding Educators Workshop" and is a one-week seminar that is geared towards the welding instructor who wants to take welding education to the next level by providing industry recognized certification for their learners. Instructors will perform and be assessed in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW processes. Both courses offer CEUs and have specific dates in June. Beyond the Booth runs June 3–7 and Welding Educator’s Workshop runs June 17–21. Class size is limited so register today! 

Lincoln Electric appreciates what welding instructors do to train the next generation of welders. Welding instructors can apply for special pricing for all the courses in the Welding School Catalog (some exclusions apply). To learn more about these courses and special pricing, click the button below.

SkillsUSA National Signing Day Honors CTE Students for

Success in the Classroom and Future Opportunities

SkillsUSA National Signing Day is an annual national celebration of future skilled professionals and the career paths that are essential to our nation.

On Signing Day, thousands of CTE students will be recognized by their teachers, school administrators and families for pursuing a career in the skilled trades. SkillsUSA students will be applauded as they announce career plans and sign letters of intent for an employment offer, an apprenticeship opportunity or enrollment in further education in their trade in a style much like the Signing Day events held for high-school athletes.

SkillsUSA advisors can register their students to participate in a Signing Day event at their school through April 23, with most events taking place May 7. Each participating student will receive a certificate of participation plus a letter of congratulations from SkillsUSA executive director Chelle Travis and SkillsUSA board president Maureen Tholen, vice president of sustainability at 3M Corp. The personalized letter recognizes them for dedication to their trade area and for participating in a national event that amplifies the value of the skilled trades to the nation. This letter is a great incentive and a nice addition to student employment portfolios and will be emailed directly to each participant.

Learn more about Signing Day and register students at signingday.skillsusa.org. At the link, there are free resources to help instructors hold an unforgettable Signing Day event including a full toolkit with event planning resources, sample scripts, signage, certificates, a PowerPoint template and more. For schools that want to recognize their members in style, the SkillsUSA Store offers an official Signing Day T-shirt and baseball cap, signing day pens and even an event hosting bundle with balloons, pens, cups, napkins and tablecloth. Registration closes on April 23. SkillsUSA National Signing Day is sponsored by the Lowe’s Foundation, State Farm® and Constellation. If you have questions, please contact Dan Kelly.

Electude: Preparing for Electric Vehicle Instruction, Dave Macholz – President / CEO – AVTG

With over $9 billion in federal investment in EV infrastructure, federal, state, and local departments of education are questioning how and when programs will introduce or expand EV programming and, in many cases, compelling them with program dollars attached or in the balance. Beginning this summer, we AVTG, in cooperation with Electude, will have a solution that will empower educators to utilize the A.D.D.I.E. method to Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate their EV programs.

In July of 2024 we will host our new 3-day EV train-the-Trainer bootcamp in partnership with Electude with two separate opportunities to attend. The events will be held in conjunction with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Educator’s Conference on July 19–21 in Minneapolis, MN and the North American Council of Automotive Techers (NACAT) national Conference on July 26–28 in Indianapolis, IN. Our events will be hosted in the conference venue over the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each event.

This course is based on us putting ourselves in your shoes to answer the relevant questions you are facing and to provide the knowledge, skills, and resources you will need to leave with to successfully get your EV program developed, build on what you have already started, and take your existing program to the next level.

For a full program description visit here for more information. We hope to see you this summer at one of our events! https://training.avtg.org/w/upcoming/

Explore Career Opportunities in Security with FAST's Job Board

Are you ready to kickstart your career in the security industry? The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) offers a job board designed to connect you with top employers in the industry. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, FAST’s platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your skills. By posting your resume for free, you can opt-in to allow leading companies reach out with job offers. Dive into roles ranging from security technicians to project managers and engineers. Visit FAST’s job board today and take the first step towards a promising future in security!

From ACTE

The Early Bird Gets the Best VISION Rates



ACTE’s CareerTech VISION is the must-attend event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals! Happening Dec. 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas, VISION offers attendees:

• Hundreds of concurrent sessions covering high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE
• Inspirational keynote speakers sharing innovations in CTE
• CareerTech Expo with hundreds of exhibits, workshops and live demonstrations
• Numerous networking opportunities to forge meaningful professional connections with educators and industry leaders

Register by July 31 for the best rates!

Calling all Postsecondary CTE Professionals!

ACTE’s Postsecondary CTE Summit happens Sept. 18–20 in Chicago, Illinois, and we hope to see you there! Tackling critical issues in postsecondary CTE, this event addresses apprenticeship models, best practices related to faculty recruitment and retention, and strategies for securing business partnerships. Interested in presenting? The deadline to submit you presentation proposals is May 17.

Boutique Event for CTE Administrators

Join us this Oct. 9–11 in Portland, Oregon for ACTE’s and NCLA’s Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference with focused content on strengthening the field for CTE administrators of both secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and institutions.

Delivering $2,500 in Scholarship Money

Encourage students and adult learners, ages 18–35, to apply for the Horatio Alger Association Career and Technical Education Scholarship, worth up to $2,500 to pursue CTE. The application is open now through June 17. To request a presentation to students or educators please email Julia Kasper at jkasper@acteonline.org.

Call for ACTE Board of Director Nominations

As a member of ACTE's board of directors, you have the opportunity to determine the direction of the Association and make an impact on CTE programs, professionals and students nationwide. ACTE encourages you to apply for one of several open board positions. Applications are due June 15.

Student Trophy Design Contest

Encourage your students to participate ACTE’s Student Trophy Design Contest. The winning trophy will be 3D-printed by Stratasys and presented to the 10 national award winners at the ACTE Awards Gala, happening Dec. 4 at CareerTech VISION in San Antonio, Texas. The winning team will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a free one-year lease of a 3D printer for the winner’s school, courtesy of Stratasys, and more! The deadline for design submissions is May 1.

Now Accepting Impact Awards Applications

The ACTE Impact Awards recognize groups and individuals from the education, business and industry communities who contribute to the improvement and promotion CTE. The deadline to apply for the two Impact awards, the Business-Education Partnership Award and the Champion for CTE Award, is June 30.

New Teach CTE Workshop 

ACTE’s Teach CTE initiative focuses on addressing teacher recruitment and retention challenges and preparing tomorrow’s CTE teaching workforce. To support this effort, ACTE is pleased to offer an upcoming Teach CTE workshop — Developing Customized CTE Educator Retention, Professional Learning and Support Programs — at the ACTE Region III Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 12, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $225 and includes lunch.