By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Probate Judge Bobby Martin has signed a proclamation declaring February Career Tech month.

“I am a believer in career tech, and I support Career Tech because all kids are not college material,” Martin said. “If they aren’t going to college, I think they need to be hunting a career.”

Chilton County Schools career tech director Dara Norman said the statewide observation is an annual occurrence.

“We want everyone to understand the importance of career technical education, and this is our way of not only recognizing career technical education, but also our students who take career tech,” Norman said.

The school system celebrates the observation in a number of ways, including tours of the LeCroy Career Technical Center campus, accepting applications to the programs and career exploration through job shadowing and visits to National Guard Armory in Clanton.

Career Tech Students of the Year will be honored during a banquet on Feb. 15.

Norman estimated that there are 1,000 students in Chilton County taking career tech courses.

This includes courses at LeCroy and at the high schools.

Last year, Chilton County Schools implemented an application and interview process for the career tech program. Sophomores took a tour of LeCroy to get a feel for the programs offered and what they might be interested in taking. These students are then given information about the application process.

All Career Tech students have the opportunity to pursue certification in their field as a part of their studies.