Career and technical education is evolving, and employers as well as students are benefiting from the career exploration opportunities.

Eric Ripley, executive director of CTE & Technology with Grand Forks Public Schools, says CTE programming in North Dakota has a great track record. He’s worked in CTE for 27 years and just recently moved into his new office – the Career Impact Academy in Grand Forks, which held a ribbon-cutting event and open house in mid-August. The new facility is ready for students this fall.

“I believe very much in what career and technical education can do for students and for their futures,” Ripley said.

Historically, vocational education wasn’t thought of as highly as a four-year university education. Students were often seen as either on an academic path towar

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