Lincoln County High School Career, Technical and Agriculture Advisory Council members are, front row (l-r): Hillyer Wright, Ginger Parham, Ellen Butler, Martha Partridge and Melvin Stewart. Back row: Johnny Vick, Coleman Kennedy, Alana Burke, Dr. Becky Barden, Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, Marcus Matthews, Chris Heitmann and Johnny Spratlin. Not pictured, Nancy Blount. The Lincoln County High School Career, Technical and Agriculture Advisory Council held their first meeting of the school year on Thursday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Information Technology Lab. Members and teachers had the opportunity to get acquainted at the beginning as light refreshments were served.

The meeting began with a welcome by Dr. Becky Barden, principal. Mrs. Collins, CTAE supervisor, recognized returning members of the council and guests. She also recognized the new members, Ellen Butler, counselor at LCHS; Johnny Vick, Home Cafe’; Ginger Parham, chamber of commerce; and Martha Partridge, Lincoln County Extension Office.

Mrs. Butler presented information about the career fair that will be conducted in January. She stated that a letter would be sent to various businesses inviting them to participate. She indicated that the goal of the career fair was to make available information to students who were considering a technical career.

The CTAE department is involved in three program initiatives: Tech Prep, Youth Apprenticeship, and Key Train. Mrs. Collins introduced Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, Tech Prep Coordinator at Augusta Technical College. Dr. Chamblin presented a power point presentation about Tech Prep and the advantages to a student as they pursue a technical career. She indicated that Tech Prep supports the students as he or she transitions from high school to technical college and then to a career. A student can earn technical college credit while in high school through articulation and/or dual enrollment. After graduating from high school, students can go on to a technical college to complete requirements for certificate, diploma or associate degree programs.

Melvin Stewart, CSRA Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, discussed the Youth Apprenticeship Program. He indicated that youth apprenticeship is designed to bring together the components: school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities that are necessary for a successful career. Students begin to prepare for a career while still in high school. He stated that youth apprenticeship provides paid work experience, promotes partnership between education and industry, integrates academic and technical instruction, and provides post-secondary options. Presently, there are nine seniors involved in this program.

Mr. Mark Flowers, technology teacher at LCHS, presented information about Key Train and how it is being used in the CTAE and academic classes. Key Train is used by the school to help students develop a foundation in eight categories: Applied Mathematics, Applied Technology, Listening, Locating Information, Observation, Reading for Information, Teamwork and Writing. Working with the counselor, students can compare their skill levels with the skill levels needed for specific occupations and identify areas in which they may need to improve.

Members of the CRAE department presented information about their career, technical and agriculture program and club. Those presenting were: Janet Dukes Business and Information Technology Education; Joann Collins Business and Information Technology Education; Cherrie Campbell Family and Consumer Science; Dennis Gay Horticulture; Marion Aycock Transportation; Garnett Wallace CVAE; and Mark Flowers Technology.

Mrs. Collins led the group in discussing various suggestions for Advisory Council activities. They were: Prepare a guide for an Advisory Council Committee; Guest Speakers; Career, Technical and Agriculture Education Week; Job Shadowing; Career, Technical and Agriculture Reception.

At the end of the meeting, council members were shown a short video of the career, technical and agriculture labs presented by the broadcasting class.

The purpose of the advisory council is to provide community input into the career, technical and agriculture programs so as to maximize career and technical training opportunities for the students through a school and community partnership. With input from the community, the career and technical department has insight as to what business leaders see as the career and technical needs for the areas of study.

Those representing the community were: Coleman Kennedy, retired educator; Alana Burke, Lincoln County Development Authority; Nancy Blount, Lincoln County Family Connections; Marcus Matthews, Augusta Technical College; Chris Heitmann, H & H Industrial; Johnny Vick, Home Cafe’; Johnny Spratlin, Spratlin & Sons Contractors; Martha Partridge, Lincoln County Extension; Ginger Parham, Chamber of Commerce; and Hillyer Wright, R & W Auto Parts.