MARSHVILLE, N.C. — Career and technical education is growing at public schools in North Carolina. 

What You Need To Know

  • The number of CTE credentials in the state and at Union County Public Schools is breaking records

  • The demand for CTE is increasing at UCPS

  • Kaitlyn Grissom not only found her passion in her CTE courses but also her career path

At Union County Public Schools, a record-breaking number of students have earned industry credentials for different trades. A similar trend is happening in other schools across the state. 

Kaitlyn Grissom, who recently graduated from Forest Hills High School, didn’t have any experience with automotive and agricultural mechanics before high school. 

“When I found out classes that I can actually sit and do active hands-on things instead of sitting in a classroom, I was absolutely amazed by it, and I’m just down for trying all new things,” Grissom said. “When I found out classes that I can actually sit and do active hands-on things instead of sitting in a classroom, I was absolutely amazed by it, and I’m just down for trying all new things,” Grissom said. 

Now, she’s in her element working at the ag mechanics shop, setting up and tearing down an oxyacetylene torch with ease.

“It’s used for cutting metal. It’s just a faster and more efficient way to do it,” Grissom said. 

She split her time between the shop and the school farm. 

The automotive, ag mechanics, horticulture and animal science courses she took are part of CTE, which gives students a head start on career pathways after graduation. 

Grissom will be the first to tell you, there’s high demand behind CTE. 

“With ag mechanics, it took me until my junior year just to be able to get into this class,” Grissom said. 

The automotive program is growing at UCPS. 

Instructor William Books said he went from rotating between schools 10 years ago to being here full time with a second instructor. 

“The program, like I said, has grown quite a bit. We're moving into our new shop here next year. We’ll be expanding it,” Books said. 

Students learn how to take care of their own vehicles to rebuilding a trike. 

It doesn’t get lost on Grissom, she’s sometimes the only girl in the shop. She said mentoring and experience have helped her succeed in this male-dominated field. 

“A lot of people, a lot of girls, specifically, don’t get to do a lot of things that I get to do. I think if you love it enough and you put your mind to it, you can do anything,” Grissom said. 

Grissom not only found her career path, but she won first place at the Greater Charlotte Auto Dealers competition with her partner and has job options in the automotive industry after graduation.

“I feel like I actually have been able to apply myself to something,” Grissom said. 

Grissom has six automotive service excellence industry certifications. 

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction said students earned 358,069 individual credentials in the 2023-2024 school year, which is the highest number in the 14 years this information has been reported.