Hamilton County career center gains CTE designation
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The Pursuit Institute in Carmel has been designated as an independent Career and Technical Education district by the State of Indiana. Invest Hamilton County says the designation enables the institute, and the school districts it serves, to receive up to $500,000 each year in federal Perkins funding.
The organization says five public school corporations have already voted to join the institute’s CTE district. They include Carmel, Hamilton Heights, Noblesville, Sheridan and Westfield.
“The collaboration between education and industry that is taking place in Hamilton County is unique,” said Carrie Lively, executive director of The Pursuit Institute. “This innovative approach is the catalyst for developing state of the art programming and educational opportunities. What makes this even better, is that we are affording these opportunities to thousands of students within the county, ensuring equitable access to education, regardless of where students reside.”
According to Invest Hamilton County, programming offered within the new district will serve a higher percentage of the total student population compared to traditional brick-and-mortar locations.
“Career and technical education should be afforded to all students, regardless of their post-high school plans,” said Dr. Paul Kaiser, superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools. “CTE is for students who want the skills and credentials to enter the world of work, but it is also designed for students who plan to pursue an associates or bachelors degree after high school. By collaborating across our county, we are providing new opportunities for all students, and providing Hamilton County with the education and training pipelines that will continue to drive our economy.”
The Pursuit Institute was first introduced in 2021 as the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement.