Students try their hands at welding at a 2019 Manufacturing Day event at Schoolcraft College.
In the four years since SEMCOG’s blog – “Career Technical Education: Not the Same Old Voc Ed,” – there has been increased interest and respect for CTE and the value it provides ALL students. Celebrating CTE Month® in February is an opportunity to recognize the role of CTE in preparing the future workforce for high-demand, high-paying technical careers in manufacturing, architecture, construction, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Education systems across the nation recognize the need to align curriculum more with workforce needs. They are positioning CTE as one of the best tools for preparing high school students for tomorrow’s careers.
From 2014 to 2019, the number of students completing CTE programs in high school in Michigan increased by a massive 75 percent. There were also increases in college credits earned, and the number of CTE programs offered by school districts. Michigan schools now offer about 300 more programs than four years ago.
Students who pursue a CTE program take their core academic classes at their home school and CTE classes in either a district career center or in their high school mainly during their junior and senior years. About 23 percent of students are enrolled in a CTE program during high school. The most popular classes are Marketing, Sales, and Services; Business Administration; Health Science; and Information Technology.
Brian Pyles, Michigan’s Director of Career Education, says he is working to ensure that students and their parents see the value of these programs “through the integration of nationally recognized industry credentials, flexible curriculum, and readiness for multiple postsecondary education including four- and two-year degrees, apprenticeships, and industry certificates.” He partners with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to identify career readiness skills that are most in-demand in high-growth industries.
So what else is happening now in CTE in Michigan?
Career Development Model
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is leading efforts to implement Michigan’s new Career Development Model (CDM), as required by the Michigan Legislature in 2018 (PA 230 and 231). This required MDE to develop a model program for districts to ensure age-appropriate career education is incorporated into curriculum and other activities at each grade in elementary, middle, and high school. Elementary-school activities may include career-focused summer camps, as well as business and industry guest speakers. For middle-school students, identifying career interests aligned to academic strengths and introduction of CTE programs are among the activities. Involvement in science fairs, FIRST Robotics, career-focused education, and pre-college programming aligned to career interest are among the many ways that districts can provide robust awareness, exploration, and preparation for high school students.
Work-based learning opportunities
Work-based learning programs – such as internships – are critical to providing students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom, establish professional contacts, and develop workplace skills. Employers benefit from connecting with the future workforce and supporting local schools and the community. The Office of College and Career Readiness Spring Internship Program at Breithaupt Career Technical Center is an example of collaboration between education and employers to create strong career pathways – a key recommendation in the SEMCOG/MAC Future Skills report.
Breithaupt is one of the Detroit Public Schools Community District‘s (DPSCD) newly-updated career centers. It offers programs in Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Automotive Service and Collision, Manufacturing/Mechatronics, and Welding. We had the pleasure of attending an employer breakfast – prepared and served by Culinary Arts students – where the school hosted employers interested in providing students with a spring internship paid by the district. Employers will have the opportunity to interview interested students during a career conference on April 1 and select up to 156 students from six DPSCD schools to work with their organizations for 15-20 hours a week for six weeks from April 20-May 29.
Employers interested in participating in this program can still contact Arese Robinson.
Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather talks to employers about opportunities to host DPSCD students as interns
I talked to several students including Jakira and Jessica as they prepared breakfast. Jakira, a senior at Mumford, has just been accepted into Schoolcraft College’s prestigious culinary program. Jessica, a 10th grader from Western High School, is still exploring her options, but likes to cook so is enjoying the program.
Jakira and Jessica preparing breakfast
Chef Brown is their main teacher. He is a former student who has been teaching in the culinary program for 26 years after completing his formal education at the Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island – one of the top hospitality programs in the country. He has also worked at Comerica Park and Providence Hospital, and uses these real-life experiences to help students understand the benefits and challenges of work in the hospitality industry.
Chef Brown
Robust Career Counseling
Dena Greene is one of Wayne RESA’s Ready to Launch career counselors who works with students at Breithaupt as well as DPSCD’s Golightly and Davis Career Centers. She also works with students in Romulus and Hamtramck Schools, providing individual and small-group career counseling to help raise awareness, access, and preparation for post-secondary career and college options. She helps students identify their interests and skills and guides them to pathways to personal success.
Dena Green with Donna McDowell, Wayne RESA’s Manager of Workforce Development and Career Counseling
In the past, CTE has had a reputation as being for students who are not college-bound. However, MDE data from a recent survey of students who graduated from CTE programs show nearly 72 percent go on to postsecondary education. In addition, CTE prepares students for careers in high-growth industries where employers may support postsecondary education. CTE is increasingly recognized as a broad-based education pathway that aligns with in-demand occupations; provides students with a strong academic base through application-based learning, industry certifications, hands-on experience, as well as professional skills (aka soft skills). CTE is gaining popularity because of the recognition it provides students with guided pathways to in-demand careers as well as professional skills that help them navigate the changing world of work.
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