SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Springdale Public Schools hosted its second annual Career and Technical Education Signing Day at Springdale High School on May 2.
More than 50 graduating students from Archer Learning Center, Don Tyson School of Innovation, and Har-Ber and Springdale high schools were in attendance.
Hanson Benjamin, a student at Springdale High School, is hoping to use the training he received through the Career and Technical Education Program to give back to his community.
Hanson signed a job offer to work at George Jr. High School as a Marshallese Student Mentor.
"Working in the school district, I really could spread the word of our own community and let people know about who we are," Benjamin said. "Just letting Marshallese kids know that I am a role model for them."
Benjamin, along with the other graduating students, accepted job offers to continue their work throughout Northwest Arkansas.
Springdale Public Schools says students in the Career and Technical Education program gained skills in areas such as manufacturing, business, construction, education, and welding.
Springdale student Ernesto Leal recently accepted an asphalting job at Springdale construction company Emery Sapp and Sons.
"I'm excited to finally present myself as a working class citizen," Leal said. "A lot of unknowns going forward, but I'm kind of excited to see what's in store for me."
Rodney Ellis, the Workforce Training Director for Springdale Schools, said the program allows students to get familiar with career options in the area while still in school.
"It's a culmination of a year's worth of effort on behalf of our business and industry partners to create talent pipelines for our region," Ellis said.
He added that a demand currently exists in the area for trade skills.
"There's a huge need for these type of skill sets in Northwest Arkansas," Ellis said. "Our goal is to keep the brain power at home as well as the talent to grow our region, our economy, and provide well-meaning, well-paying jobs for students who graduate [and] who want to live and stay here."
According to Ellis, the signing ceremony was a day of celebration for jobs and industry areas that often go unrecognized.
"It’s a great opportunity," Ellis said. "These kids can be recognized going into a field or career field where, a lot of times, there's no recognition for the people who get up and go to work every day and make this country run."
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