FAIRPORT, N.Y. — Career and Technical Education programs are adding more class options to keep up with industry demand. CTE is designed to help high school students become more employable.

In Monroe County, the Eastern Monroe Career Center offers 17 career and technical education programs for 10 school districts. Beginning next year, it's adding two new programs: exercise sciences and interactive media and game design.

What You Need To Know

  • EMCC is responding to increased workforce needs across the region

  • It's adding new programs, expanding partnerships and facilities to accommodate growing interest in skilled trades

  • Future programs include veterinary technician training and advanced CTE programming 

New York state's CTE system has more than 100,000 students enrolled in some 3,000 secondary programs from automotive, culinary arts, childcare, health care, criminal justice and more. CTE is all about academics taught with relevance to the real world.

EMCC principal, Mike Ehret, says right now, computer science, game development designers, physical therapists and athletic trainers are in high demand. That's why EMCC is adding those programs starting in 2025-2026 and the following year plans to add veterinary tech training and more advanced CTE programming.

“Our phone rings off the hook constantly from local employers looking for our graduates. Many of our students go on to start their careers after they leave the program here. We can’t keep up with the demand. It’s a great problem to have,” said Ehret.

Many CTE classes end in certification that can help students get a job right out of high school and provide a skill set to land a better-paying job. The bottom line is students have more options in education. More CTE expansions are in progress.