District lays out CTE expansion, industry partnerships and student certifications in five‑year plan

A district CTE presenter (speaker 6) told the Cheatham County School Board that the district’s five‑year plan emphasizes expansion of career and technical education (CTE), stronger industry partnerships and more opportunities for student certifications and dual enrollment.

The presenter highlighted recent accomplishments — a STEAM distinction for one school, Perkins‑funded student organizations, and grants such as an Austin Peay STEM award that supplied equipment. She said the district has increased access to industry credentials (OSHA 10/30, ServSafe, basic life support) and is working with postsecondary partners including TCAT Nashville and TCAT Dickson to provide credits and pathway opportunities.

"All 3 high schools this year that do health science graduated medical assistants that came out of those programs," the presenter said, noting expansion of hands‑on pathways and that 131 students were enrolled in TCAT classes across the district, producing more than 820 dual‑enrollment credits to date (as reported to staff that day).

The presenter described work‑based learning, school‑based enterprises (selling student‑made products), use of district CTE vehicles for site visits, and plans to add industrial maintenance at a high school next year. She said partnerships with employers and agencies (Ascension St. Thomas, TCAT) are helping expand program capacity and paid internship opportunities for students.

Why it matters: Expanding CTE and credentialing increases students’ work readiness and can create career pathways that do not require immediate four‑year degrees. The district emphasized using grant funds and industry partners to scale programs without large recurring local expenditures.

Next steps: district staff will continue teacher training, dual‑enrollment boot camps, site visits to model programs, and planning for expanded school‑based enterprises and industrial maintenance offerings.