Carroll County showcases expanding apprenticeships and school‑based enterprises at CTE center

Carroll County Public Schools and MSDE presented a CTE spotlight that emphasized local industry partnerships, apprenticeships and applied learning models.

MSDE staff summarized the federal Perkins V funding structure and statewide goals for aligning CTE programs with industry‑recognized credentials and postsecondary pathways. Richard Kinkade described Maryland’s policy goals: ensuring rigorous academic and technical content, multiple entry/exit points, aligned industry standards and an emphasis on credentials of value and youth apprenticeships.

Carroll County officials described a robust local advisory council that guides program development and a Career & Technology Center that serves about 1,400 juniors and seniors across eight high schools. The county highlighted rapid apprenticeship growth (from two apprentices to 18 this school year), ongoing program modernization, 25 completed programs at the Tech Center and school‑based enterprises (cosmetology salon, culinary lunch service, carpentry sheds, print production) that recycle proceeds into program budgets. The Tech Center also supports students who earn NIMS and other industry credentials and highlighted a student intern working at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.

Board members praised the program for combining technical skills, entrepreneurship and industry alignment. The district described recruitment and retention challenges for CTE teachers but noted strong local pipelines of alumni returning as staff and apprenticeship hosts providing on‑the‑job learning.