A VISION of CTE's Future: ACTE Conference Recap

The Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) conference, "CareerTech VISION", was a wonderful way to close out 2019. We joined other leaders, educators and vendors in the CTE space to collaborate and learn through professional development. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of speakers willing to share their success stories and best practices, and left feeling optimistic about where CTE is headed.

It was also great to connect with existing and new customers at our happy hour, and our data chart (from the 2019 Industry Outlook), drew a lot of attention. Meeting with instructors who are truly passionate about making a difference in their students' lives is one of the best parts of my job as a Certification Specialist at NHA.

Here are a few key takeaways from the ACTE conference that affirm that CTE plays such an important role in society, and that NHA is providing valuable solutions in the CTE space:

1. Data and digital tools/resources are being used not only in the virtual classroom, but in reaching students and parents

It seems that virtual learning tools are now used in nearly every classroom — that's not new. Those tools continue to evolve, but we also saw a growing number of programs aiming to learn how to use data and other tools/resources (such as social media tools) to capture student and parent audiences. 

2. Students have more paths available than ever

There are so many different avenues for students to go into — it’s amazing how far the CTE space has come. Students now have the option to further their careers whether they are interested in allied health, engineering, construction, etc. We are truly giving students so many opportunities to thrive!

3. Certification helps students access a better future

Our certifications are of value. They open doors to legitimate opportunities for students, no matter where they come from, where they’re located, or where their goals will take them. It's rewarding to see how our certifications are helping students achieve their dreams!

4. Educators have a vital role to play in the future of healthcare ... and every industry

The most important insight after the conference was how great instructors all over the country are. They are truly making a difference each day. Meeting instructors who are striving to help their students and see them prosper is always a great way to end the week. 

"VISION" was an appropriate theme for this event. The CTE space is helping give vision to students who may not have found career opportunities otherwise, and through collaboration and sharing best practices, CTE instructors create a vision to help them determine the best ways to reach and teach their students. 

At NHA, our goal is to improve patient care. The first step toward this goal is ensuring our frontline healthcare professionals are being taught by the best instructors and the best programs. By participating in events such as the ACTE conference, we are helping make that happen!