High-school juniors from four communities are eligible to enroll in the CTE Partnership/After Dark program at Essex North Shore Technical and Agricultural School. Through the free program, students can receive workforce training through career and technical education courses and earn as many as 24 college credits.

A Texas school district is adopting a new learning model that focuses on technical and college classes. Under the program -- aimed at improving college- and career-readiness -- students could graduate high school already having earned a technical certificate, an associate degree or both.

Career and technical education programs have had to reimagine traditionally hands-on, in-person learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Officials say they have had to teach concepts via video and make scheduling and operational changes to keep students and staff safe.

A years-long push for career and technical education is paying off for a North Carolina district that recently was recognized as having the most students in the state to earn CTE certifications. Officials say the credentials give students a head start on college and career.

Brightline Defense is among nonprofits in San Francisco using virtual reality to attract and train young people for construction careers. Students are able to maintain social distancing using Oculus headsets and a VR app geared toward bridging the gap between classroom instruction and skills needed for construction.

Higher-education leaders and legislators in California shared in a recent online forum that they intend to make it easier for community-college students to transfer into the state's public or private universities. A new transfer planning tool being developed by the California State University system is aimed at helping students plan and track the transfer process to its campuses.

Northwest Innovation Works predicts construction of a methanol plant at the Port of Kalama in Washington state will generate 1,434 full-year jobs over three years. The company hopes to begin construction late this year or early next year.

Chemical manufacturing is an essential component of Louisiana's economy and the industry would welcome a potential investment from Mitsubishi Chemical, writes Louisiana Chemical Association executive vice president Greg Bowser. "Mitsubishi's investment would benefit all residents and help to strengthen a long partnership with an industry that has served Louisiana and kept it financially afloat during times of unprecedented uncertainty," Bowser writes.

Voice your CTE needs to help shape education policy priorities under the new administration, learn about strategies for influencing federal policy related to CTE advocacy and messaging, and participate in virtual Capitol Hill and school visits. Happening the week of Feb. 22, in concert with your CTE Month awareness-building activities, ACTE's virtual National Policy Seminar 2021 will feature an official welcome from the new administration with a preview of education policy priorities. Learn more and register.

Recent publications on varying career and technical education (CTE) topics include embedding certifications into bachelor's degrees, meeting adult learners' needs, the impact of COVID-19 on women's employment and more. Read more.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday. Publication will resume Tuesday.