THE GOAL OF CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S PROJECT IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE WITH EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE FIELD OF AQUACULTURE AND IMPROVE THE PREPAREDNESS OF CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE AQUACULTURE PROGRAM GRADUATES. THIS PROJECT IS NECESSARY, BECAUSE AQUACULTURE IS THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR OF FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE WORLD. WITH INDUSTRY GROWTH COMES AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR A SKILLED WORKFORCE. THIS PROJECT WILL TEACH EDUCATORS ABOUT THE AQUACULTURE FIELD, PROVIDE ACCESS TO BEGINNING-LEVEL AQUACULTURE COURSES TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, PROVIDE VALUABLE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE TO STUDENTS, AND IMPROVE THE CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE CURRICULUM.MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT AQUACULTURE IS, WHAT IS INVOLVED IN AQUACULTURE EDUCATION, AND THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THE FIELD. THE COLLEGE WILL OFFER A HANDS-ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL TARGET HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS. THE COLLEGE WILL WORK WITH THE CARTERET COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY KEY STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY. THE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN AUTHENTIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM AND THE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IT CAN PROVIDE.THIS PROJECT WILL ALLOW THE COLLEGE TO HIRE AN INSTRUCTOR TO TEACH BEGINNING LEVEL AQUACULTURE COURSES ON THE CAMPUSES OF TWO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, EAST CARTERET HIGH SCHOOL AND CROATAN HIGH SCHOOL. BY TEACHING ON THE CAMPUS OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS, THE COLLEGE WILL REMOVE ALL BARRIERS FOR THE STUDENTS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULING CONFLICTS AND AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. IT WILL OFFER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN COLLEGE CREDITS TUITION-FREE AND WILL ALLOW THEM TO ENTER THE AQUACULTURE WORKFORCE AT A YOUNGER AGE .IN ADDITION, THIS GRANT WILL OFFER PAID APPRENTICESHIPS FOR CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE AQUACULTURE AT LOCAL BUSINESSES. NOT ONLY WILL THE STUDENTS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIRENCE, BUT THE APPRENTICESHIPS WILL OFFER LOCAL BUSINESSES ADDITIONAL HELP AT NO CHARGE. LASTLY, THE PROJECT WILL ADD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR AUTOMATION AND MONITORING TO THE CARTERET COMMUNITY COLLEGE AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM.