WHEREAS, career and technical education offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary for true career readiness, through participation in authentic, meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase the engagement and achievement; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education provides students with career exploration opportunities earlier in their educational experience, which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and

WHEREAS, Nevada has emerged as an international center for innovation in technology, transportation, and autonomous systems, and has attracted cutting-edge industries, and therefore it is vital students are prepared for careers in advanced manufacturing, nursing, autonomous systems, teaching, and other industries; and

WHEREAS, business leaders nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE-related fields; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education prepares students for these and other fulfilling careers by offering integrated programs of study that link secondary and postsecondary education and lead to the attainment of industry-recognized credentials; and

WHEREAS, ensuring that employers have access to a qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring productivity among the business and industry communities as well as continued American economic growth and global competitiveness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2024 as

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH IN NEVADA