FFA, technical students visit Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana FFA Association and other career and technical student organizations assembled recently at the Statehouse.

Their mission was to raise awareness about career and technical student organizations. They met with lawmakers to discuss the role these organizations play in preparing students for college and careers.

February is National Career and Technical Education Month.

The organizations prepare students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill and high-demand careers.

Program areas include, agriculture, family and consumer science, business, marketing, engineering and technology, health science, trade and industry, among others.

The CTE organizations include:

• Business Professionals of America

• DECA, formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America

• Future Business Leaders of America

• Family Career and Community Leaders of America

• Health Occupations Students of America

• SkillsUSA, Technology Student Association

• FFA

“These eight organizations work together to provide students with opportunities to find a career they are passionate about,” said Tamara Ketchen, associate director of Indiana FFA. “Indiana FFA is honored to help develop students into a career ready workforce.”

More than 22,000 students in Indiana participate in CTE organizations. Over 94% of those students graduate from high school, according to the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations.