Photo courtesy of Copper Country ISD Career & Technical Education CTE Construction Technology instructor, Mike Randell, gives tips on hammering a nail to a group of 10th-grade students who took part in the week-long tour of CTE programs. CTE students in Mr. Randell’s class learn all aspects of the construction field, from bidding a job to designing a structure to framing, wiring, plumbing, HVAC in a whole house, and the related skills and abilities.

HANCOCK — February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month in Michigan. To celebrate, Copper Country ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) invited CCISD students, including those who attend school virtually, and homeschooled, for program tours. CTE’s goal was to highlight the high-tech facilities, provide a glimpse of what each class offers and make real-world connections to the in-demand careers students are prepared to enter.

There are 512 10th grade students in CCISD schools this year.

“Every student has the opportunity to gain skills to prepare for the future they desire,” CTE Director Shawn Kolbus said. “Whether they know what path that future holds, or they are still trying to figure it out, CTE offers something for everyone.”

Students were broken into groups and rotated between the Career Tech Center and partner institutions for the tour. The students simultaneously toured the Career Tech Center’s programs (automotive technology, construction technology, health careers, welding/manufacturing, and the education program typically held at Gogebic Community College’s Houghton campus).

Other groups were on buses traveling to the certified nurse aide program embedded in the long-term care facility, Canal View. Additionally, a group toured the Jutila Center learning about the CTE graphics/marketing class, which uses industry-level hardware and software placed in a post-secondary setting.

Lastly, a group rotated through labs at Michigan Tech to learn about CTE mechatronics by touring the pneumatics lab, a lab with programmable robotic arms often found in automated facilities, the computer lab used for computer-aided design, and enjoyed learning about careers in the field.

CTE classes can count toward their high school graduation requirements, such as fourth year of math, third year of science, and others based on their home school. In addition, students can earn college credit through articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions while taking CTE.

To sign up for CTE programs, students work with the guidance counselor, while virtual and homeschooled students also work with a counselor at a school of their choosing. Those not regularly enrolled physically in a school still work with the area high school or virtual program, which acts as their sending school for state reporting.

All programs are free to students and paid for by state funding and an area millage supporting these opportunities for student development and access to in-demand, local jobs. Since 2017, CTE has grown from three to 12 programs, and previously schools had to pay a nominal fee for students to take a class. Now all opportunities are free of charge to students and CTE reimburses schools for bussing to classes.

“Opportunities are wide-open for students with CTE to learn and grow,” Kolbus explained. “These opportunities provided by CTE would not be available without the community investing in their children by passing the millage five years ago. The millage set in motion the growth for student opportunity and connection to local industries.

“As we have moved forward, the continued program growth has come in part from devoted individuals representing their local industries on advisory committees working directly with our dedicated CTE instructors. Together they ensure students are prepared for the open jobs of today and tomorrow.”

L’Anse High School counselor, Heather Grentz, chaperoned students for her school’s tour.

“L’Anse high school students have an incredible opportunity thanks to the CCISD CTE programs,” she said. “Exploring the programs today will help them choose a pathway to success, whether they will continue their education or go right to work. Students who have taken CTE programs have all benefited with the hands-on learning experiences provided by the ISD.”