Shelbyville Mayor proclaims February Career and Technical Education Month

Founded in 1972, Blue River Career Programs has been preparing Shelby County students for career opportunities for over five decades.

The career center, located at 801 St. Joseph St. in Shelbyville, offers multiple programs for students in all four school systems in Shelby County.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month and Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson delivered a proclamation Friday declaring it so in Shelby County.

Furgeson met with several students to applaud them for their efforts to prepare themselves to enter the work force after reading the proclamation.

“When I went to the graduation ceremony last year, I was amazed how many people this program was putting out ready to go into the workforce and making good money when they get out,” said Furgeson after the ceremony.

Veteran educator Jeremy Powers was hired prior to the start of the school year as the BRCP director. He has been amazed at the growth he has seen in the students since their start in August.

“I enjoy seeing the kids have that interest in a program and watching them grow from the beginning of the year to where they are at currently,” said Powers. “Kids may not have had that confidence coming in, whether it is culinary arts or auto collision, you name the program, to see the kids grow and be excited about what they are doing, they are going to be able to do well when they graduate high school.”

The career center offers training programs in:

• Auto Collision Repair
• Auto Services
• Construction Trades
• Criminal Justice
• Culinary Arts
• Diesel Services
• Education Professions
• Fire and Rescue
• Health Sciences/CAN
• Health Sciences/CCMA
• Human & Social Services
• Welding Technology
• Work Based Learning

“That is one of the big things we are selling about the career center,” said Powers. “Whether you want to go to college or go to a trade school or just go to work, we have something here for you. You can get those dual credits that will help you in college. You can get that certification that will get you a job right away – and now you have that hands on training.”

“They provide a good pathway for careers,” said Furgeson. “It’s incredible what they do out here.”

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