The Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) is proud to announce a significant milestone for its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Mechatronics Program. Homeschool and UPVA freshman, Baron Colbert, signed a non-binding letter of intent to join Great Lakes Sound and Vibration (GLSV) as a second-year CTE Work Based Learning (WBL) student, marking a promising step in his educational and professional journey.
Baron’s commitment to GLSV creates opportunities for him to gain invaluable hands-on / minds-on experience and mentorship from industry experts while furthering his education. It is made possible through the CTE Work Based Learning program, which offers students practical, real-world experiences in their field of study. With this arrangement, during the next school year, Baron will be able to work with GLSV four out of five days per week during his normal CTE class time, while reporting back to his CTE Mechatronics instructor to debrief and evaluate his learning on the fifth day of the week. This opportunity highlights the potential of our students and demonstrates the value of strong industry partnerships in providing real-world learning opportunities.
Joe Zerbst, WBL Coordinator for CTE at the CCISD explained “Work Based Learning is a sustained placement providing students with an intentional on-the-job learning experience. This is a learning opportunity, not an open pass merely to work during the school day.”
Zerbst explained the difference between having a WBL placement through a CTE vs. a non-CTE program: “A key difference is that CTE placements allow students to obtain Department of Labor Hazardous Occupation (HO) exemptions, which help protect youth in workplaces. CTE students gain advanced real-world experience with this extra layer of safety from their classes. This makes them more valuable to companies, performing meaningful tasks rather than just shadowing. Therefore, a CTE WBL experience can be much more meaningful than a non-CTE WBL placement."
Baron expressed his enthusiasm, "I am incredibly excited to learn from the professionals at GLSV. This opportunity will allow me to further develop my skills and gain experience that will be essential for my future career."
Steve Mattson, CEO at GLSV said, "We are excited to welcome Baron to our team as a CTE Work Based Learning student and are committed to supporting his growth and development. At GLSV, we believe in fostering young talent and providing them with the tools and experiences they need to succeed. This collaboration with the CCISD’s CTE Mechatronics program is a wonderful opportunity to mentor the next generation of skilled professionals."
The CTE Mechatronics program, a key component of the career tech offerings through the CCISD, has seen significant growth in projected enrollment for next year. This is good as industry demands continue to grow. In partnership with Michigan Technological University, the program provides students with cutting-edge education, equipment, and training in the fields of mechanics, electronics, and computing all in university-level facilities with direct connections to industry needs. This collaboration ensures that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of modern manufacturing and technical industries or to pursue further post-secondary education.
The program’s uptick in interest is further bolstered by the active participation of local industry partners such as GLSV, Erico Electric, and Calumet Electronics in recent efforts to explain to high school counselors, administrators, and students what mechatronics is and what opportunities are available to students both locally and globally. These companies along with several others including L’Anse Manufacturing, Loukus Tech, Koppers, and Orbion Space Technology are integral to the program’s advisory committee, providing valuable insights and guidance to ensure that what students learn aligns with industry needs. Their involvement helps ensure students receive training that is both relevant and up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology and industry practices.
"We are thrilled to see Copper Country students like Baron taking significant steps towards their future careers," said CCISD Superintendent, Jim Rautiola. He added, "The CTE Mechatronics and Work Based Learning programs are a testament to the power of career and technical education and industry collaboration. Our partnerships with Michigan Tech in this case and with local industry help to ensure our students receive top-notch training and are well-prepared to enter the workforce or to take the next step to further their education, perhaps at MTU. This is another prime example of where we’re better together.”
The CCISD’s CTE Mechatronics program is designed to support the growing manufacturing and technical needs of the region. The continued expansion of the CTE Mechatronics program reflects a commitment to providing high-quality education and preparing students for successful careers in technology and engineering.
For more information about the CTE Mechatronics program or other CTE offerings, please visit www.copperisd.org.