COVID Couldn’t Stop the CRTC



Our motto at the CRTC is “Be Prepared to Stand Out,” and in this COVID-impacted school year the CRTC - our students, staff and our wider community of parents, industry and postsecondary partners, proved that those words are more than a slogan. 


Because we are an applied learning center that blends classroom education and technical skill training, it was essential that we stay open for on-site learning this school year. And we were determined to continue with some form of college and career connections, such as work-based learning, professional certifications and college credit opportunities.


Preparation, persistence and the ability to adapt are core principles we both teach our students and practice ourselves. We petitioned the school board and were able to open with on-site learning, and continue that throughout most of the school year. We partnered with employers to navigate shifting COVID guidelines and create innovate career connections with the result that 285 CRTC students had some form of Work-Based-Learning experience this year (see related story below). While we still haven’t finalized the data, a significant number of our students were able to earn industry recognized credentials and collect postsecondary credits or training hours this school year.


The impact of this hard work on student social and emotional well being is illustrated by the results of a recent survey of 549 CRTC students and 298 parents/guardians:


  • 96% of parents and guardians surveyed agreed or highly agreed that the CRTC staying open during COVID has helped their student's social and emotional well being.

  • 89% of parents and guardians surveyed agreed or highly agreed that the CRTC has given their student an experience to talk about and share with their family.

  • 89% of students surveyed definitely or mostly agreed that being a part of their CRTC class community was a positive experience.

  • 90% of students surveyed definitely or mostly agreed that their CRTC experience has them looking forward to their future career pathways after high school.


On top of all that, we had our most successful recruitment season ever! All this illustrates to me that the CRTC, as an organization and a community, is growing stronger, larger and more committed to providing Concord region high school students with authentic college and career connections. And even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t change that.


On a parting note, I’d like to recognize Chef Bob McIntosh (Chef Mac), who is retiring after 20 years of running the CRTC Culinary program (see related story). Bob is well respected within the state and national CTE communities, and well loved by his students and co-workers. We wish him all the best as he moves on into this next chapter of his life.


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