Career & Technical Education Celebrated During the Month of February
The Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) recognizes Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month every February. CTE Month is a public awareness campaign, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, that celebrates the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.
CTE programs prepare students for high-wage, high-demand career fields, such as information technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing to name a few. CTE encompasses many different types of education, from classroom learning to certification programs to work-based learning opportunities with area business partners.
Ingham Intermediate School District (Ingham ISD) offers 19 CTE programs at the Wilson Talent Center (WTC) on their Mason campus. These programs are available to high school juniors and seniors, and students spend half of their school day at the WTC and the other half at their local district. Students are earning high school credit, free college credit as well as state and national industry certifications. Students may also be eligible to participate in the Capital Region Technical Early College (CRTEC) where they can earn up to 61 college credits towards a bachelor’s degree at no cost to the student.
“Michigan’s economy is experiencing a skills gap and CTE programs are a great way to help fill that gap,” says Jamie Engel, Executive Director of CTE for Ingham ISD. “More than half the jobs in our state require skills training, meaning more education than a high school degree, but less than a four-year college degree. Students in CTE programs are developing technical, academic and employability skills that will benefit them and our state in the future,” Engel also noted.
In 2021, 102,986 students were enrolled in 2,093 secondary CTE programs throughout Michigan. Ninety-six percent of high school students enrolled in a CTE programs graduated last year, compared to Michigan’s overall graduation rate of 81%.
The Wilson Talent Center, operated by Ingham Intermediate School District, offers career and technical education programs for high school juniors and seniors who reside in Dansville, East Lansing, Haslett, Holt, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Waverly, Webberville and Williamston. Applications are also accepted from Lansing School District, Fowlerville Community Schools and Eaton and Clinton County schools. For more information, visit Wilson Talent Center (www.inghamisd.org/wtc).
