Have you ever heard "Career-Tech is great...it's just not for my kid"?

If you have ever visited the new facility at Vantage Career Center, odds are you were probably blown away by the technology and equipment that our high school students are using to learn on a daily basis. Every time I give a tour to a visiting group it never fails, I will always hear how great our facility is, and how great of an opportunity Career-Tech Education (CTE) is for our students. However, there are still hundreds of students each year that choose not to participate in CTE classes. 

So what's the problem? Why are they not taking advantage of this great opportunity? For many parents, I think the idea of COLLEGE was drilled in our heads when we were younger and as a result, many adults still see CTE as a great opportunity for someone, just not for my kid, because he/she is going to college. Unfortunately, these misconceptions are hurting our young people today because they are missing opportunities that could lead them to their goals.

 

CTE is no longer just for students who are not going to college. Quite the contrary, students who graduate from CTE courses have the soft skills, technical skills and academic knowledge to be college AND career ready. As just a small example of the opportunities available to CTE students let's look at the picture above:

1. Matt has earned an apprenticeship as an Ohio Operators Engineer. If you don't know what that is you can go to the following website for more information (http://local18training.com/becoming-operating-engineer/), but to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, after the four years of his apprenticeship, Matt will be making $35.89/hour.

2. Trevor will be a senior this year, taking College Credit Plus mathematics courses while learning CNC operations in our Precision Machining program.

3. Adam will be working as a machinist for Schnipke Precision Molding. If you're not sure what they do, check them out here: http://www.schnipke.com/capabilities/mold-design-fabrication

4. Connor and Sami both have earned an apprenticeship with GROB Systems which will pay for both of them to earn their college degree. FREE COLLEGE as a result of CTE!!! (https://www.grobgroup.com/en/career/your-route-to-grob/school-pupils/apprenticeship-program/)

So in the future if you ever hear someone say how great CTE is, it's just not for them or their kids, tell them they are right. CTE is just not for their student, IT'S FOR ALL STUDENTS!