American Graduate: Getting to Work is exploring Idaho to showcase career and technical education opportunities that provide skills for in-demand trades.
At Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School in North Idaho, learning the basics of skilled jobs is as vital a part of student development as are science, technology, English and math. Marty Jones, career-technical education (CTE) instructor, shares his passion for hands-on trades and “making things almost out of nothing” with his students.
Jones’ students are encouraged to create things on their own, using the school’s shop facilities to build, test, break and improve their prototypes. They get the opportunity to work with metal, machine tools, electronics, robotics and coding.
The school’s Independent Track Program lets students learn a trade through local business partnerships. Not only does this connect students with potential employers in their community — which could help Clark Fork retain local talent — it also helps students understand the value and real-world application of the math, writing and science skills their learning in school. The program has been so successful that 95 percent of the school’s seniors who have job-shadowed have been offered a job.
Check out the grin on sophomore Dante Kemink’s face when he shows off the unusual exhaust tip he fabricated with Mr. Jones’ help. Jones encourages his CTE students to imagine an object they have an interest in creating, and then helps them create a prototype in cardboard. The students must also form a “company” and figure out how to sell their product at a profit.
idahoptvamericangraduate.wordpress.com 