Gov. Snyder visits high school CTE programs in the U.P.

by Tanya Baker

Skilled trades continue to be a focal point for Gov. Rick Snyder, because no matter where he is visiting, the sentiment is the same: Michigan needs more skilled workers to fill the talent gap. Last week, the Governor traveled across the Upper Peninsula and met with students and instructors involved in CTE programs. These programs aim to get young people thinking about careers in technical fields, such as advanced manufacturing and construction. Currently, Michigan has about 96,000 jobs available to apply for and around one-third of those are in skilled trades.

Gov. Snyder visited three high schools around the U.P. to get a taste of how their programs work and to see what types of projects students are working on. One stop was at Negaunee High School to tour their CAD lab and welding program. Gov. Snyder also spent time touring a house being renovated by Geometry in Construction program students from Ishpeming, Marquette and Superior Central high schools. Later that day, he sat down with students, instructors and industry professionals at a roundtable to discuss CTE programs focused on business and health occupations.

Article: Gov. Snyder takes a look at CTE in the U.P.

As time goes on and technology becomes more advanced, Michigan will need more skilled trade workers to help push the economy forward. This is especially true in the U.P., where those skills are in high demand due to the region’s continued economic growth. And with an aging workforce, the U.P. could soon see a larger skills deficit if we don’t continue to expose students to, and build their interests in, the skilled trades.

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To close the talent gap and continue building a more prosperous future, there needs to be more instructors willing to teach students the necessary skills and provide them with resources that allow them to explore more career pathways. The instructors are a key piece to this puzzle. With more students interested in CTE training, there will need to be just as many instructors willing to pass on their knowledge and help prepare students for the high-paying jobs in Michigan’s growing and innovative industries.

In June, State Superintendent Brian Whiston signed an executive directive to implement recommendations of the Michigan Career Pathway Alliance. One of those recommendations includes adopting and communicating a Michigan Department of Education policy change that allows for non-teacher certified CTE instructor authorization for up to 10 years, making it easier for CTE instructors to stay in the classroom. For recommendations that cannot be enacted administratively by MDE, the alliance will work with the Legislature to continue to make professional trades programs a pathway to career, higher education and lifelong learning.