05.28.08

But CTE courses have been frequently threatened by proposed budget cuts from President Bush, including a recommendation this year to slash more than $1 billion from the programs. Federal money is used to pay for teacher salaries, professional development and equipment such as computers and sewing machines to run the programs.

North Carolina could lose more than $30 million in federal support. About $23 million goes to public schools and nearly $12 million goes to job training for community colleges, which also custom-fit their courses to the technical skills demanded by local employers.