Career & Technical Education (CTE) Day at the Arkansas State Capitol: Investing in Arkansas’s Workforce

This past Tuesday, members of the Engage Arkansas team attended Career and Technical Education (CTE) Day at the Arkansas State Capitol—a powerful reminder of how education, workforce development, and economic growth are connected.

Each February, the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE) hosts this annual event, giving 14 to 15 Arkansas school districts the opportunity to showcase their Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) and CTE programs. CTE programs across Arkansas are doing more than preparing students for jobs; they are preparing students for long-term careers.

Sunni Teale, an education professional with DCTE, explained how these programs are creating real opportunities for students: “Students earn concurrent credits while gaining real-world work experience and graduate high school with industry certifications and associate degrees.” Students earn these concurrent credits at no cost through state-supported programs at institutions such as Northark Technical Center and Arkansas Tech University’s Career Center.

Teale also highlighted how Arkansas LEARNS and Arkansas ACCESS place a strong emphasis on CTE opportunities for Arkansas high school students, with benefits that will have a lasting impact. “LEARNS and ACCESS have helped give students chances in these fields they may not have gotten otherwise.”

In addition to allowing public school students to pursue vocational or technical coursework, she shared that within the next five years, the state expects at least 50% of public high school graduates to earn an associate degree—underscoring that these initiatives are not only workforce-focused, but future-focused.

Teale also emphasized the civic leadership component of CTSOs, noting that these programs help students grow as engaged citizens as well as skilled professionals.

With 52 success-ready pathways—from healthcare and IT to agriculture and skilled trades—Arkansas CTE programs are equipping learners with real-world skills that directly align with the needs of employers across the state.

This year’s event highlighted CTSOs from school districts across Arkansas that are providing students with the skills needed for future careers. Russellville High School student Addison Crain, a member of the school’s broadcast program, shared, “Being a part of this program has helped me learn technical skills, communication skills, and how to work under pressure.” She explained that these skills have prepared her for a future in broadcasting.

Logan Guynn, a White Hall High School student and National Vice President of Public Relations for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), reflected on how her time in FCCLA has shaped her leadership journey. “FCCLA turned me from a shy seventh grader who could barely say my own name into the person I am today as a national chair.” She added that FCCLA’s broad focus allows students to explore and define their career goals early, creating opportunities that benefit countless students statewide and nationwide.

One of the most impactful aspects of CTE Day was the opportunity to spotlight the incredible work happening across Arkansas at the local level. Programs and schools represented at the Capitol showcased how CTE is translating classroom learning into real-world career readiness.

The Engage Arkansas team appreciated learning more about the work being done by:

• Darby Middle School’s Health Science Program: Serving students in grades 6–8, this program offers a hands-on, healthcare-focused learning experience, CPR and First Aid certifications, and real-world medical academic opportunities that help prepare students for careers in healthcare.
• Arkansas Tech University Career Center: Provides quality career and technical education for students in 22 school districts at the Russellville campus and satellite locations in Ozark and Paris. The center offers pathways in fields such as HVAC, construction technology, and automotive service technology, while also allowing students to earn industry certifications and concurrent college credit.
• Southeast Arkansas Community-Based Education Center: Located in Warren, Arkansas, this center serves high school students from surrounding school districts, as well as adult learners, with programs ranging from computer science and networking to welding and metal fabrication and criminal justice.
• Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative: The NWAESC Career and Technical Department works to encourage the development and improvement of CTE programs throughout Northwest Arkansas, supporting public schools with resources to initiate and sustain high-quality CTE programs.

These programs demonstrate what’s possible when education and industry work together. Arkansas students are gaining technical skills, industry credentials, and meaningful experiences while exploring rewarding career opportunities right here in the state.

What stood out most during CTE Day was the collaboration—educators, students, and industry partners coming together with a shared goal of ensuring Arkansas has a strong, skilled, and future-ready workforce.

Events like this matter because they create space for meaningful conversations about:

• Workforce shortages and how CTE helps close those gaps
• The importance of early career exposure and industry credentials
• Continued investment in programs that meet both student and employer needs

CTE Day is an opportunity to showcase how CTE is not a “secondary option”; it is a strategic solution. When we support CTE programs and CTSOs, we support economic mobility for students, talent pipelines for employers, and long-term growth for Arkansas.

Thank you to the educators, students, and advocates who made CTE Day at the Capitol such a meaningful experience. This event left us encouraged by the momentum behind career and technical education and excited about what’s ahead for Arkansas’s workforce.

This article is part of the Engage Arkansas 2026 Civic Challenge. The Civic Challenge focuses on one vital impact area affecting Arkansans statewide each month. In February, Engage Arkansas highlighted the importance of youth leadership. To learn more about Engage Arkansas, visit EngageArkansas.org.

Axton Tackett, February 2026