CTE Introduction

Prepare for the future… Explore a great field

What comes to mind when you think of Career and Technical Education? Most people think of the traditional assembly lines, but today’s business and industry occupations are fast-paced and high tech. Companies, including those in this region are part of a rapidly expanding global economy and they need employees with high-level technical and academic skills to remain competitive. The high demand for people with these skills creates a great opportunity for you! Whether your goal is work or college following high school, Career and Technical Education can prepare you with the academic background, technical ability, and work experience to open the doors to a variety of career opportunities worldwide.

It is assumed that, through your career exploration experiences in the 8th grade, you have chosen a career pathway to explore and are now selecting courses in which you have an interest. This site provides descriptions of courses offered through the Copper Country Intermediate School District’s Career and Technical Education program. It should be noted that the courses described on the following pages are tentative offerings. The ability to offer any of the courses is directly related to the resources of the Copper Country Intermediate School District, sufficient enrollments, and availability of teachers.



Facts about CTE

Any student who attends high school in Baraga, Houghton, or Keweenaw County may attend classes offered by the Copper Country Intermediate School District. Home School students are encouraged to enroll.

Attendance – Students enrolled in classes at the CCISD Career Tech Center are subject to the attendance policies of their own high schools while attending the Tech Center. The limit on the maximum number of absences permitted in order to receive credit is determined by each high school’s policy.

Classes are approximately two hours long and are scheduled at 8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 1:15 p.m.

Programs may provide instruction for one, two, or three years, depending upon the knowledge and skill of individual students and their career goals.

The student’s home school issues credits for successful completion of Career & Technical Education programs.

 

Copper Country ISD CTE Student Handbook

 

Automotive Technology

A “head to hands-on” approach that will lead to success in post-secondary training and into an expanding automotive-related field

Business/Entrepreneurship Baraga County

Provides students with information on building and running a business

Construction Technology Baraga County

Provides the student with knowledge and skills to build a house from the foundation to its completion

Construction Technology Houghton County

Provides the student with knowledge and skills to build a house from the foundation to its completion

Health Occupations

Baraga County
Provides students with the opportunity to explore the many available career options in the healthcare profession

Health Careers

Houghton County
Provides students with the opportunity to explore the many available career options in the healthcare profession

Certified Nursing Assistant

Provides training for students to obtain the skills necessary to take the state of Michigan’s competency evaluation exam to become a CNA

Education

Provides students the opportunity to explore careers in Early Childhood Education

Welding/Manufacturing Baraga County

Prepares students for entry level job skills in the Welding/Manufacturing field

Welding/Manufacturing Houghton County

Prepares students for entry level job skills in the Welding/Manufacturing field

Culinary

Students explore potential career paths in the food service industry

Mechatronics

Prepares students with a foundation in automation and manufacturing field with an emphasis on mechanical and electrical engineering

Graphic Design & Marketing

Prepares students with the basic principles of creative design utilizing industry-grade tools

Work-Based Learning

Learn more about Work-Based Learning Opportunities for students and partners.

CTE Data Reports

You can view CTE Data Reports by clicking this link.

Students interested in enrolling in any of the Career & Technical Education program offerings should contact their high school counselor to request the required enrollment forms. Each high school within the Copper Country Intermediate School District is allocated a specific number of slots for student enrollment, based upon the school's total high school enrollment.

Criteria for student enrollment in the Career & Technical Education programs are determined by each individual district. Considerations for eligibility may include the student's attendance record, grades, citizenship, and a career pathway specific to the requested program. Students interested in the program should contact their high school counselor early in their high school career to obtain information regarding the requirements of their district.

Success Stories

Tayler Quarless

“Because of CTE, I gained the confidence and basic skills to be able to continue with my education in college and pursue a career in the medical field.”

Tayler Quarless
Exercise Physiologist - Portage Hospital

David Narhi

“Because of CTE, I learned the necessary skills to get a good job here in the Copper Country, in which I make a decent living and have a job that is challenging and rewarding.”

David Narhi
Technician - Copper Country Ford

Tom Hicks

“Because of CTE, I developed a strong work ethic, which helped me to further my education and advance me for my life long career.”

Tom Hicks
Technician - Copper Country Ford

Paul Roose

“Because of CTE, I grew to like the challenge that every project brought and I learned something new during each project. I always felt as though I was adding a new skill each time.”

Paul Roose
Owner - Metal Matic, LLC

Carl Olson

“Because of CTE, I received the on-the-job training which was the most beneficial learning to me.It allowed me to meet many people, created potential jobs, and build many ‘bridges’. I accepted a fulltime job at L’Anse Manufacturing to start right after graduation.”

Carl Olson
Machinist - L’Anse Manufacturing

Dr. Rebecca Volrath

“Because of CTE, I was given clinical experiences in high school that was instrumental in getting a job in my field as an assistant prior to veterinary school, which gave me the necessary experience to improve my application to veterinary school.”

Dr. Rebecca Volrath
Copper Country Veterinary Clinic

Leanna Miller

“Because of CTE, I learned personal skills necessary to help me in my career as a Nurse Practitioner. I cannot say enough about how the class affected my ability to form relationships with people.”

Leanna Miller
Nurse Practitioner - Baraga County Memorial Hospital

Words from the Community

Brian Donnelly

“I talk to businesses all around the area, and I always ask them what the biggest challenge they face is. The most common answer is ‘Finding employees with the skill set that I need.’ And they aren’t looking for someone with a 4 year degree, they want an employee with technical skills that can be immediately put to use. I think more CTE will help address a major issue that holds back our economy.”

Brian Donnelly
Market Manager - River Valley Bank

Jerald (Jerry) Wuorenmaa

“Comprehensive CTE opportunities benefit not only students but industries that rely on skilled trades. CCISD’s programs should be expanded to level the playing field for education and economic growth across the Western U.P.”

Jerald (Jerry) Wuorenmaa
Executive Director - Western U.P. Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR)

Tim Marczak

“I appreciate the opportunities the CTE program gives to my students. Not all of our graduates are college bound students. CTE gives them the actual career training they need to be successful in the work force.”

Tim Marczak
Prinicpal - Baraga Area Schools

Kip Beaudoin

“CTE programs provide the best-trained labor forces, because they respond to local needs and are an investment that stays local ; more importantly, they have made a real difference in the lives of students.”

Kip Beaudoin
Principal - Hancock High School

Susan Tollefson

“CTE course offerings provide an opportunity for high school students to get first-hand experience in a career field. This is invaluable to helping them determine their career path as they actually get to be that role for a while.”

Susan Tollefson
Superintendent - L’Anse Area Schools

Bob La Fave

“A common theme continues to come up in conversations with business: the need for skilled trades workers. CTE programs are vital to economic development efforts in our region and to helping our young people find good jobs. CTE is a win for students and their communities.”

Bob La Fave
Manager - Village Of L’Anse

Glenn Anderson

“While the Copper Country has a proud tradition of educating and preparing our high school students for college degree programs, we have clearly underinvested in preparing our students who do not seek higher education. The answer, invest more in career and technical education at the high school level to prepare these students for entrance to the local work force upon high school graduation.”

Glenn Anderson
Hancock City Manager

Jacqueline Huntoon

“Enhancing precollege students’ access to relevant CTE programs will clearly benefit students. Enhanced access will also increase the number of students who are prepared to become Michigan’s high-tech workforce in the future.”

Jacqueline Huntoon
Provost and VP for Academic Affairs - Michigan Tech University

Jeff Ratcliffe

“For the economy of the Keweenaw Peninsula to thrive, our businesses must have access to a workforce with a diverse array of skills and abilities. While college degrees are important for some jobs, most require a technical education. A robust CTE program can meet this demand.”

Jeff Ratcliffe
Executive Director - Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance

Cherilynn Lampinen

“Strong CTE curriculum and program options help provide local employers with the talent they need to compete in a global marketplace. As Michigan Works! connects with the business community throughout the U.P., we see that our employers need workers now and in the future with skills that are provided through robust CTE drivers. Having these opportunities available helps the region build the worker pipeline of the future for employers, and helps residents find good family sustaining jobs.”

Cherilynn Lampinen
UPWARD Talent Council - Michigan Works!

Mark Massicotte

“CTE programs have a substantial impact on the entire community they serve. The opportunity to experiment at the hands-on level can provide insight for the participants and, at the same time, align the expectations of prospective employers. This is a starting point for building careers, not just filling skilled jobs.”

Mark Massicotte
Owner - L’Anse Manufacturing

Scott Dianda

“We need to help our children get ready for the 21st century economy. For some, that will mean preparing them for a traditional four year degree path. For others, a career in agriculture, manufacturing, or skilled trades is their ticket to a prosperous, stable future. We can grow our local economy by providing our children with a strong CTE curriculum that prepares them to enter the workforce after high school.“

Scott Dianda
State Representative - Michigan's 110th House District

Tom Casperson

“We need to do a better job of ensuring our children are career ready. Career Technical Education is a profound part of that mission. There is no question that there are careers at the ready as employers across the U.P. repeatedly tell me that they are in real need of individuals with technical skills and ability.”

Tom Casperson
State Senator - District 38

Tom Casperson

“It is my belief that robust CTE programming not only addresses local needs for both students and employers alike, but also makes a critical investment that stays local – our children, children who are career ready to enter the workforce.”

Tom Casperson
State Senator - District 38

Angela Bates

“As the Director of Nursing at Houghton County MCF I feel the health careers and Certified Nurse Aide programs offered by the ISD are crucial for the area. We hire many students who have completed these programs. There is a very high demand for CNA’s in our area.”

Angela Bates
Director of Nursing - Houghton Co. Medical Care Facility

Todd Brassard

“We must provide the young people in our community with opportunities to succeed. Graduating students from high school with the necessary education and experience to immediately thrive in the workforce serves not only the student and eventually their families, but also fills a vital role in the future success of our local businesses and industry. Obtaining college degrees is the path for some, but many will choose to immediately join the workforce. We need these young people today, now. Providing our high schools with a strong Carrier and Technical Education (CTE) program insures that every student has ready access to a brighter future while simultaneously filling the needs of business and industry. With these imperatives in mind, I adamantly support the opportunities provided to high school students by a strong CTE program.”

Todd Brassard
Vice President/COO - Calumet Electronics Corp.

Jeff Lang

UP Health System Portage has a long standing relationship with C.T.E. programming through the Copper Country Intermediate School District, primarily through their Health Careers class. Being part of the educational process with young people has helped us grow as an organization and has led to many improvements in the way we care for patients. It has also helped us by giving career specific experiences to young people who have joined us as employees after graduating high school. The really exciting thing about the CTE Health Careers program is that many students that went through the program experienced the “health care calling” and went on to pursue advanced degrees, such as medical doctor, doctor of pharmacy and doctor of physical therapy.

Jeff Lang
Chief Executive Officer - Up Health System Portage
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