The AutomationDirect robotics program and our interns shined brightly at the recent Forsyth County Schools College & Career Development/CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education) awards ceremony!
At the CTAE Excellence Awards Gala held late last month, AutomationDirect and its interns earned several honors:
- Jenna Grot, Logistics intern, was named CTAE Student of the Year in the Engineering and Technology Pathway at Central Forsyth High School.
- Dylan Park, Marketing intern, was named CTAE Student Intern of the Year at Central Forsyth High School.
- AutomationDirect was honored with the Michael Gravitt CTAE Partnership Award (presented by the Rotary Club and the Gravitt Family) for the company’s sponsorship of the county robotics programs for the last 18 years.
In addition, Tony Collins, the Forsyth Alliance Chair and AutomationDirect’s main point of contact for all Forsyth County Robotics activities, was named CTAE Advisor of the Year.
The Forsyth County Schools College & Career Development/CTAE program seeks to provide an ongoing partnership between education and business/industry to prepare the students of Forsyth County with the skills necessary to meet world-class standards, successfully continue life-long learning, and enter the marketplace as productive citizens.
Students participate in career pathways that provide seamless instruction in career and technical education that connects academic and technical skills to future educational and career opportunities. Options within the program offer curriculum and instruction linked to industry standards in labs featuring the latest technology and equipment replicating simulated work environments. AutomationDirect has participated in the program with Forsyth County Schools for 18 years, hosting many interns during that time.
Chip McDaniel, Senior Technical Marketer at AutomationDirect, has worked with Forsyth County Schools interns for several years.
“I really enjoy working with the students and supporting the CTAE program because I see firsthand the value it offers students and AutomationDirect. Students learn skills that they can apply into their future studies and careers. We get to help them on that journey and hopefully interest them in a great industry and company,” he said.