Explore Your College and Career Options at The CRTC

Sarah Lewis graduated from the CRTC Emergency Services program last May, after passing her EMT Basic and Advanced classes at Granite State EMS, earning 3 college credit by taking a Lakes Region Community College basic firefighter course, and participating in numerous ride alongs with local firefighters and EMT specialist. All this gave her a leg up on other freshmen as she enrolled last fall in the LRCC Fire Science program, enabling her to earn her Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications in her first semester there.

"By being involved in the CRTC, I was able to have so many career opportunities and experiences that I would not have been able to get anywhere else in high school," she said.

Sarah's high school story is fairly typical of all CRTC students who complete one of the 12 career pathway programs offered there. And every student's journey begins by learning more about what the CRTC offers. This week, February 15 and 16, Concord region high school students will have the opportunity to tour our program classrooms, labs and shop areas, and to talk to teachers and CRTC students about the opportunities and advantages of a career-focused education. And next week, February 21,22,23, interested students will be able to sit through a regular CRTC class period in the program of their choice. For both events, students should see their local school counselor for sign-up details. (Check out our website for more information.)

"High school Career and Technical Education programs have come a long way from the Voc Ed programs most parents remember," said CRTC Principal Anne Fowler. "Today, more than 78% of CTE program completers go right into college after graduation, and many turn their internships into full time jobs where their employer contributes to, or pays for, their postsecondary education."

CRTC students routinely intern and job shadow in industry settings from automotive repair shops to hospital operating rooms. More than 70 % collect college credits or industry training hours, 91% earn industry recognized credentials, and an incredible 97% explore their career ambitions outside of the classroom walls by engaging in jobsite work-based learning experiences where they are able to explore their career ambitions before making expensive college decisions.

The CRTC currently enrolls 750 students from a dozen regional high schools in 12 career pathway programs designed to give students a head start on their college and career ambitions. The programs are offered at no charge to local high school, homeschool, and public charter school students, and there is no charge for transportation. Check out the CRTC Brochure for more admission details.

Applications are encouraged to be submitted by February 24. After that, they will be accepted on a space-available basis until the start of the next school year. For more information, go to our website, email us at info@thecrtc.org or call our office at (603) 717-7654.