The mission of career and technical education is to train a qualified workforce for today's competitive job market. At Forrest County Agricultural High School, we offer 5 two-year career technical education programs and six enhancement courses to help our students become qualified to meet the job market demands.
Career Pathways: Two Year Programs
Agricultural & Natural Resources
This pathway to introduces students to the broad field of agriculture and natural resources, including the production of plants and animals and the management of natural resources. The program includes instruction in the applied sciences related to plant and animal production and natural resource conservation and management, as well as introducing the student to agribusiness management practices and maintenance of facilities and equipment. Students in the pathway will participate in active learning exercises including integral activities of the FFA organization and supervised experiences. Students who successfully complete the competencies in this pathway will possess fundamental knowledge and skills that can be used to secure entry‐level employment or as a foundation for continuing their education.
Architecture & Drafting
This program allows students to produce workable drawings on the drawing board as well as on the computer using CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software. The student will become familiar with building materials, construction and fabrication processes, and will develop upper level CAD skills. Upon successful completion of the program, the students will be qualified for an entry-level drafting or related position or may pursue post-secondary education. The students will have gained knowledge that could benefit them in construction and manufacturing careers. Students have the opportunity to participate in SkillsUSA, a student organization where they can develop professional and leadership skills through competition.
Business Management & Administration
Business, management, and administration professionals plan, direct, maintain, and organize business operations for an organization. Business fundamentals serve as the foundation for all business pathways. Courses in business provide instruction in basic business skills and knowledge related to economic fundamentals, management, communications, finance, human relations, career development, ethics, and business etiquette. This cluster prepares you for careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Students are provided the opportunity to participate in career and technical student organizations, including FBLA and DECA.
Healthcare and Clinical Services
Healthcare and Clinical Services (HCCS) is a pathway of courses for students in the Health Sciences career cluster. The HCCS pathway includes classroom and hands-on experiences that will provide students with an overview of the health-care field, as outlined according to the Health Science Cluster in the National Career Clusters Framework and the National Consortium on Health Science Education (NCHSE), as well as begin to prepare students for careers in occupations predicted to have a high number of available jobs in the next 10 years, including careers in nursing services (registered nurse, nurse aide, practical nurse, home health aide), therapeutic services (sports medicine, athletic trainer, dietitian, respiratory therapist), diagnostic services (radiologist, phlebotomist, radiologic tech, sonographer, CT technician, medical lab technician), health informatics (health information technician, medical coder), veterinary services, medical services (optometrist, medical assistant), emergency services, rehabilitative services (physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist) counselors, pharmacists, mental health services (psychologists). Students in the pathway will participate in active learning exercises including integral activities of the HOSA career technical student organization.
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
The Law and Public Safety career pathway focuses on the history of law and legal systems in the United States. Students will leave the program with a firm foundation of knowledge in these areas. Additionally, students will learn the importance of personal health and safety in the work environments associated with law and public safety. Students will also be introduced to the emergency services found in local communities. Additionally, students will focus on corrections in the state of Mississippi, studying specifically how jails and prisons function. Students will learn the specialized areas and topics within the law and public safety arena. They will examine the daily tasks and responsibilities of the professionals in the field. The program will offer students the opportunity to examine all areas of the military and the professions associated with each branch. Additionally, students will learn about emergency management and workplace skills and will have meaningful, relevant job-shadowing experiences with professionals.