The National Technical Honor Society was developed in the 1980s by two families looking to extinguish the stigma that often comes with technical schools and vocational/trade education. They had a goal to honor “student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence, and enhance career opportunities for technical students.” The founders were vocational educators themselves and used their knowledge and experience when creating NTHS.

Technical and vocational/trade colleges are essential, as they educate and train students to go forth into the world into careers like nursing, firefighting, automotive, culinary, construction management, and more. If you need a service, it's likely you’re being helped by a NTHS student!

The organization lists its member benefits as:

• Seek postsecondary education by awarding over $300,000 in scholarship annually
• Position themselves ahead of competition in today’s highly competitive workforce
• Earn recognition for superior achievement in career and technical fields
• Build career portfolios with professional letters of recommendation
• Connect to global career and technical education networks
• Discover opportunities with leading business and industry
• Serve in leadership roles in communities and industries

In order to qualify for membership, students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in their entire academic record, and/or a 3.0 in specifically their Career and Technical education (CTE) path. Students must also be pursuing a major or career in technical education. Additional qualifying criteria is left up to local chapters, but may include the following:

• Attendance
• Disciplinary records
• Certification or credential attainment 
• Additional GPA requirements 
• One or more faculty and/or staff recommendations 
• Active involvement in CTSOs 
• Community Service/Volunteerism 
• Participation in a work-based learning, job shadowing or internship opportunity

Technical and vocational/trade colleges have seen an uptick in applications during the covid-19 pandemic, as nursing, medical technicians, laboratory technicians, and first responders have been in the forefront.

There are currently over 1 million NTHS alumni. You'll recognize these students on graduation day by their purple and white honor cords and white custom stoles.

Below are examples of products offered at Senior Class Graduation Products, though students are recommended they check with their chapters for specific purchasing information.

Are you a member of NTHS? Do you work in a trade? Let us know in the comments!

Cover photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash