CTE Month at COPESD

February is Career & Technical Education Month, giving us an opportunity to recognize the important role CTE programs play in preparing students for successful futures. These programs equip students with real-world skills, connect them with local and regional employers, and set them up for success when it comes to high-demand careers. 

For the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District, CTE represents a powerful partnership that brings together local school districts, businesses, and educators to expand career-focused learning and opportunities for students. 

These efforts are based on a collaborative approach, with school districts hosting programs that are open to students from all three counties. Industry partners, meanwhile, advise COPESD and school districts on curriculum and program development to align student learning with the current and emerging needs of the regional workforce. For its part, COPESD has a group of business, agency and school partners who are focused on eliminating barriers across our region to help foster more of these opportunities to connect the students with skills and careers within our communities.

By taking a collaborative and  regional approach the intent is to be able offer a greater variety of programs than any single district could provide alone, expanding opportunities for students while providing much greater stability for the programs themselves. 

The benefits of these CTE programs extend far beyond the classroom. Students gain industry-specific skills, hands-on experience, and valuable connections with local employers, all of which help them transition seamlessly into the workforce or postsecondary education. By supporting these programs, COPESD and its partners are addressing the skilled labor shortage affecting numerous industries regionally and across the country. 

Parents, educators, and community members agree on the importance of CTE programs across our region. In a recent COPESD survey, 94% of respondents agreed that COPESD’s initiative to enhance and expand these programs would be beneficial to the community. About two-thirds acknowledged the growing need for high school graduates with CTE-related skills. 

Most recently, we have been thrilled to launch the CNC Training Partnership, a collaboration among COPESD, the Industrial Arts Institute, North Central Michigan College, and regional employers. This initiative will provide students with cutting-edge training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining, which is critical to advanced manufacturing. Students will learn about and work with industry-grade equipment, preparing them for a range of career paths. 

While we are pleased with the progress we have made, there’s much work left to be done. Currently, CTE opportunities through COPESD are only available in 4 out of a possible 10 school districts in our region. Our goal is to expand these programs to all 10 districts to allow all students and communities to benefit from them. 

In the more immediate future, please be looking for details regarding our wide-reaching 2025 Summer Camp and Academy opportunities will be coming soon, with fliers being posted in early April and registration begins on May 1st.  All of which will be posted on the COPESD website at www.copesd.org. These summer programs will give ALL students the chance to explore various career fields, develop new skills, and engage in real-world learning experiences over the summer months. The camps and academies represent one approach the COPESD and our steering partners has used to bring CTE opportunities to more students in the region.

Career & Technical Education is a vital part of preparing students for the future, and COPESD is proud to lead the way. With strong partnerships, innovative programs, and a commitment to student success, we can build a skilled workforce that benefits our students, our community, and our regional economy.

Happy Career & Technical Education Month!