Career and Technical Education programs provide students pathways to success, good-paying jobs
More than ever, our students must have access to hands-on, real world learning opportunities that will one day help them compete for in-demand jobs in an increasingly competitive and dynamic workforce.
That’s particularly true at Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools, where our students — 60 percent of whom are multilingual learners, including many first-generation Americans — have access to a growing roster of world-class career-technical courses that set the stage for successful careers. These programs are continuously in high demand, including among our multilingual learners who can learn with their hands as they are immersed in learning English as well.
Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses include mechatronics, engineering, construction trades, business management, health sciences, business technology, financial management, graphic design, educational foundations, accounting and marketing. To date, every CTE program we have piloted continues to serve our students. This is critical because CTE programs must be piloted for one full year to be eligible for federal and state funding.
To meet student demand, we’ve had to expand access to these programs, many of which are designed to meet the needs of our local community. In the years ahead, we must continue to expand access to CTE programs, many of which provide an alternative for those not interested in a four-year college degree.
These career-technical opportunities are made possible in large part by the Wayne County Regional Enhancement Millage. Our district has utilized the Enhancement Millage funds to hire CTE instructors and purchase equipment to launch several of our innovative programs. This Millage helps us provide an unparalleled opportunity for our students to obtain professional certifications before they graduate, saving families considerable money. The Millage also helps fellow Downriver school districts and those countywide keep smaller class sizes, support a wide range of special education services, and make security upgrades to keep our students safe.
The success of our career-technical programs has also helped us attract and secure additional state and federal financial support. These resources, coupled with our Enhancement Millage funding, support the continued growth and success of these programs today.
Thanks to the Wayne County Regional Enhancement Millage, Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools continues to support a talent pipeline in our community for local businesses and entrepreneurs, allowing our students to find careers close to home.
Ryan Vranesich is Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools superintendent.
Visit resa.net/millage for additional information.