Career and Technical Education

Tony Francis, Ed.D.
Director of Secondary Programs and CTE
tfrancis@bedford.k12.va.us

Bedford County Public Schools offers a broad range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that equip students for success in college and career fields. CTE courses are offered at each middle and high school in the school division. Bedford Science and Technology Center (BSTC) also offers a number of specialized CTE courses for high school juniors and seniors. All students enrolled in BSTC courses have the opportunity to earn credentials associated with course-related career fields (e.g. LPN, CNA, EMT, Cosmetology, IT, Automotive). Some courses also offer optional dual enrolled college credit.

Middle school CTE course offerings are exploratory in nature and introduce students to a variety of career fields and the general knowledge and skills associated with these fields. Middle School CTE electives also provide opportunities for students to explore areas they often chose to study in greater depth at the high school level.

High school CTE course offerings are organized into seven major program areas. Specific course offerings in Agriculture, Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Jr. Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC), Technology Education, and Trade and Industrial program areas are outlined in Bedford County Public Schools Program of Studies.

Successful completion of a CTE sequence of courses often equips students with marketable skills for entry-level employment. Many students who complete CTE programs opt to use the skills gained through their CTE courses to increase their success after graduation as they continue their education in colleges, technical schools, and/or military service.

Career and Technical Education

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