WHEREAS, career and technical education serves a critical role in ensuring that all Nevadans are prepared for success in the twenty-first century by offering students of all backgrounds the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for real career readiness; and

WHEREAS, students in career and technical education programs participate in authentic and meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement; and

WHEREAS, LifeWorks, Nevada's career pathway initiative, provides students with career exploration opportunities earlier in their educational experience, which enables them to make informed decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and

WHEREAS, leaders from business and industry nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical CTE-related fields, including aerospace, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, mining, natural resources, tourism, gaming and entertainment; 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 that leads to the attainment of industry-recognized credentials; and

WHEREAS, the expertise and dedication of career and technical teachers inspire students to achieve higher skill levels in their career path of choice; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education programs foster a qualified and thriving workforce for employers, ensuring that Nevada has a strong and competitive economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2020

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH IN NEVADA