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Educating Tomorrow's WorkforceKent Intermediate School District Leads By Developing Career SkillsBy Brian Warkoczeski, November 2008
Each year in West Michigan,
Kent Intermediate School District (ISD) provides students with
real-world learning through educational programs at the the Kent Career Technical Center and Kent Transition Center.
This summer, it was local educators who received a real-world education through an
innovative pilot program, called "Educator in the Workplace." The "business immersion" program,
created by Kent ISD and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, provided nine
teachers with the opportunity to spend time at local companies and learn what skills
are needed to be successful.
Teachers from Grand Rapids Public, Godwin Heights, Grand Haven, Tri-unity Christian, West
Catholic, Grandville, Godfrey Lee, Crossroads Alternative, and The Potter's House visited
Alticor, Consumers Energy, Granger Construction Co., and RCM Technologies, gleaning
knowledge about important workplace skills from experts.
For example, teachers spent time with project managers from Granger Construction Company
at the site of Wyoming's water treatment plant expansion, learning how experts
install a water pipe, read a blueprint, and determine the layout of a building.
During the school year, the participating teachers can incorporate their experiences into lesson plans and
use real-life examples to demonstrate the need for students to learn career skills to succeed professionally.
Also, one of the participating businesses will accompany the teacher in the classroom
for a class period and act as a resource.
When students ask why they need to learn about something, the teacher can inform
his or her pupils how a construction contractor used a skill for specific purpose or how a
computer worker needed it to accomplish a task. By reinforcing what students learn in
textbooks with real-world examples, teachers are able to demonstrate why
school subjects, such as geometry or English, are needed for life after school.
The "Educator in the Workplace" initiative is part of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's
Consensus Principles on Education Program, which was developed in 2007 to link educators with
businesses to assist with workforce development.
The businesses and teachers who participated in August said the program very beneficial and should be offered in the future.
Kent Career Technical CenterBeyond the "Educator in the Workplace" program, Kent ISD has used its
Kent Career Technical Center (KCTC) to provide students with skills needed for college and
professional careers.
KCTC offers 29 educational programs in six primary areas: Arts and Communication;
Business, Management, Marketing & Technology; Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology;
Health Sciences; Human Services; and Natural Resources & Agriscience.
Students gain valuable knowledge and experience by using career skills in facilities
that feature the same technology and equipment found in today's workplaces. The technical center's
full-service restaurant, auto body shop, full-service credit union branch, beauty salon and spa,
bakery, retail store, and cafeteria provide students with opportunities to practice valuable career skills
while serving the needs of the public. Residential construction students build top-quality houses
that are later sold to the public.
While Kent Career Technical Center students develop essential job skills they can also earn college credit.
The Center has agreements with 13 colleges and community colleges that enable students to
earn college credit or advanced standing by taking courses at KCTC, which saves students money on
college tuition. Participating schools include
Ferris State University, Baker College, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College,
Lansing Community College, Macomb Community College, Northwood University and others.
KCTC has also established many apprenticeships with area employers, allowing students with
specialized skills to begin an apprenticeship while in high school. Students can work toward a
national certification, develop a working relationship with an employer, and can leave high school with
a full- or part-time job after graduation.
Kent Transition CenterFor students who are academically challenged, at risk, or prefer hands-on learning,
Kent ISD provides career training through the Kent Transition Center (KTC).
Pupils can identify their interests and talents through the Discovery Center,
offering them the opportunity to "test drive" classes prior to enrollment.
High School juniors and seniors can then decide on one of KTC's programs, including
agriscience, construction, hospitality, transportation, and worksite based learning.
Kent Transition Center provides hands-on learning and career-focused training with small class sizes—
the student to staff ration never exceeds 10 to 1. Students receive a more personalized educational experience
and learn skills that will enable them to lead a productive life after school.
KTC partners with close to 90 area companies, which provide work site training,
serve as advisory committee members, and assist students in becoming productive citizens.
Through the Kent Career Technical Center and Kent Transition Center, Kent Intermediate School District
is providing area students with the finest in career training and preparing them for success
after high school, whether the next step is college or a professional career. With its new
"Educator in the Workplace" program, Kent ISD is also providing the district's educators with
opportunities to better understand the technical skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
"We Lead Learning" is the district's motto, but Kent ISD also leads with innovative programs
that prepare students for challenges that will face them in the workplace and in life.
More About Kent ISDKent ISD provides services to twenty local public districts and to all non-public schools within its boundaries. Directly or indirectly, Kent ISD serves almost 400 schools, more than 120,000 students and 7,000 educators. As one of 57 ISD's established in Michigan more than thirty years ago, Kent ISD provides a wide range of services to meet the needs of the educators, families, and communities we serve. Kent ISD joined the Merit community in December 2007 when they became a dedicated connection Member.
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