MUSCLE SHOALS-The State Department of Education and Career Technical officials toured the Muscle Shoals Career Academy on February 27, 2017 as part of the Alabama Career and Technical Education Month. The academy was selected as one of the top 14 Career Technical Education centers in the state.
In 1977, the Muscle Shoals Area Vocational School was constructed after a needs assessment was conducted to determine the business and industry employment needs in the Shoals area. Based on the results of the assessment, the vocational school opened offering courses in Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Business and Office Education, Carpentry, Distributive Education, Health Occupations, Horticulture, Industrial Electricity, Radio and TV repair, Trowel Trades, and Welding.
In 2015, the new career and technical education facility opened with a new name, the Muscle Shoals Career Academy. The school now offers programs in Pre-Engineering, Multimedia, Engineering (STEM), Medical Science, Information Technology, Cooperative Education, Industrial Systems, Building Science, Welding, Automotive Technology, and Cosmetology.
In addition, the Muscle Shoals Career Academy partnered with Lyons HR to establish the Pathfinder Alabama program, a work-based learning program that places students in paid internships that support their career interests and skills training. Shoals area companies, including Helen Keller Hospital, MS Metal Solutions, Navistar, North American Lighting, Shoals Hospital, and Tasus, partnered with the school to provide opportunities for students to learn technical skills in a real life work setting.
For more information on the program, please visit the Pathfinder Alabama website.
Media Release/Shoals Economic Development Authority
