The robust growth of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Columbus City Schools (CCS) is creating pathways for students like Caden Gadjigo, whose success was spotlighted during the Career Tech Forward event at The Ohio State University. Gadjigo, a student with a fierce inclination towards design, leveraged the resources at the Fort Hayes Career Center into launching his own business while still navigating high school. "Without the Career [Center] at Fort Hayes, I wouldn't have been able to start my business," Gadjigo told Columbus City Schools News.
CTE's immense growth in the Columbus region isn't solely a storyline for CCS, as enrollment numbers climbed from 5,445 students in 2021 to over 11,500 in 2025, mirroring a 10% increase in participation across Ohio in a last four years. The dynamism on display is partly credited to the city's expansion efforts. Columbus City Councilmember Rod Dorans emphasized the community's role, stating, "At the end of the day, students having access [to CTE] puts them on a pathway to a career. As the city grows, we have to make sure we are investing in the 'people infrastructure' to make sure that young people have the skills necessary to take advantage of the growth," as obtained by Columbus City Schools News.
The success stories extend beyond Gadjigo. Columbus City Schools students have earned over 15,000 industry-recognized credentials in the 2023–2024 school year. This bounty of credentials covers fields as diverse as healthcare, public safety, technology, and construction, ensuring a diversified skill set for graduates. "Columbus City Schools has given me the tools and opportunities to excel," Gadjigo affirmed, evidencing the efficacy of the district’s CTE programs.
Expansion of these programs now reaches even younger students, with programs available for students in grades 7 through 12. This early introduction to workforce readiness paints a promising future for still more, like Gadjigo, whose story underscores the positive outcomes of access and opportunity within public education. Dorans encapsulated the shared sentiment of the day, "The work we are doing here is about changing the lives of student," drawing attention to the collaborative effort of industry professionals, educators, and community members in shaping these innovative CTE initiatives, according to Columbus City Schools News.
