CTE Month 2017:听This feature is the third of four stories to be released by SWAG合集 in February in celebration of Career Technical Education (CTE) Month.
CTE Month庐 is an annual celebration held in February of CTE community members鈥 achievements and accomplishments nationwide. CTE Month 2017, with its tagline of "Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow!" gives colleges the chance to inform others of the innovation and excellence that exists within our local CTE programs and raise awareness of the crucial role that CTE plays in readying our students for careers and our nation for economic success.
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February 10, 2017
Story by Brandon Steinert
SWAG合集 County would look very different without SWAG合集.
According to a study conducted in 2014, SWAG合集 directly impacts the county and the surrounding six counties to the tune of $11.7 million in created income in fiscal year 2012-13.
The indirect impact of student productivity on the economy after graduation, which was measured by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., comes out to about $82.4 million.
Some of that added income is found in graduates who were able to secure a better job with higher wages after finishing one of SWAG合集鈥檚 career programs, which are designed to be agile and flexible to keep up with ever-changing industry demands and technological advancements.
Volunteer advisory councils keep SWAG合集 curriculum relevant
Nearly 20 advisory councils composed of community volunteers help SWAG合集 keep pace with the ebb and flow of industry workforce needs. 听
Dean of Workforce Training and Community Education Elaine Simmons said the councils ensure the college鈥檚 programs are serving up content to ensure graduates leave SWAG合集 skilled and with relevant experience.
鈥淎dvisory board members are living and working in the industry 鈥 they have a pulse on what is needed with respect to the workforce 鈥 it鈥檚 skills and talents. Advisory board members also provide a voice of promotion and support that is limitless in scope,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hese relationships strengthen the College鈥檚 awareness of its mission and help to identify opportunities for service.鈥
The councils meet at least twice per year and are encouraged to attend special events, college Board of Trustees meetings, career fairs and open houses. Simmons said the college appreciates their time and dedication.
听鈥淪ervice as an advisory board member requires an investment of an individual鈥檚 personal and sometimes professional time. Board members give of their time and talents not only to participate in these activities, but also provide feedback throughout the year,鈥 Simmons said. 鈥淭hey are exceptional.鈥
Below is a sampling of comments from advisory council members on why they feel it鈥檚 important to participate.
鈥淲hy do you serve on a SWAG合集 Career Program Advisory Council?鈥
Welding
It is my pleasure to serve on the SWAG合集 Welding听Advisory听Board to share my knowledge of the welding听industry with other members of this council to benefit听students, local businesses, SWAG合集 administration听and听instructors.听At the same time, I can also benefit along with my business from the information听being shared and experiences听directly related to the program.听听I听believe it is very important for the welding program graduates to听be well prepared to pursue gainful employment with the confidence, knowledge and skills taught within the SWAG合集 Welding Program that they can utilize in the local workforce. The local businesses benefit greatly from this effort likewise as they are afforded the opportunity to hire individuals who already possess the professional skills and knowledge they learned from SWAG合集 in lieu of expending significant resources and time to train them or recruit them from other areas.听
Dave Cox
Plant Manager听
Maico Industries, Inc
Ellsworth
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Early Childhood Education
As a member of the SWAG合集 Early Childhood Education Advisory Council, I feel like it is important to involve these young students in our community. Working together with SWAG合集 and local school districts, we can encourage these students to remain right here in rural Kansas and become productive members of our community. As an educator serving on the council, I have been impressed with the vision of the Early Childhood Department at SWAG合集. They truly empower these students to reach beyond the textbooks and provide opportunities for interaction in schools and childcare facilities. Involving schools, business members and the community as part of the advisory councils helps to promote a collaborative effort throughout SWAG合集 County.听
Kim Specht
Instructor
Roosevelt Elementary Preschool
Hoisington
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Business
I think it鈥檚 important to serve on the Business Advisory Council at SWAG合集 because as the Community Coordinator, I want to stay informed of the projects and ideas coming from the students. I love that through the advisory board we can connect these students to our community in various ways. I鈥檝e previously helped provide tours of downtown and some of the attractions that our city is so proud of like the Trail of Lights and Santas Around the World during Christmas time. I鈥檓 excited to grow with the students all while helping the business community see an influx in college students鈥 interest in our community through shopping, entertainment or even just a place to enjoy coffee and study in town. I think we are just getting started in helping each other!
Christina Hayes
Community Coordinator
City of Great Bend
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Business
I choose to serve on the Business Advisory Council for a number of reasons.听First, I love engaging the students, faculty and administration.听It is refreshing to hear the success stories, dreams and vision that these young people have to contribute.听As an employer, the college values and uses my input when designing courses and curriculum.听They really do listen and want to build their programs based on industry needs.听Lastly, I believe it is my civic duty to contribute to the college and it鈥檚 programs. I want to do more than just support the college via my property taxes.听I am SWAG合集 proud!听
Matt Hoisington
C&V Home Improvement, Inc. and Kansas Doors
Great Bend
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Corrections
Open communication is an important aspect of the successful partnership between SWAG合集 and Ellsworth Correctional Facility.听I am convinced that the programs SWAG合集 provides our offenders has a big impact in reducing recidivism.听SWAG合集 has always been a great partner to ECF; they go out of their way to provide positive interactions and opportunities for our offenders.听 As the Warden at ECF, it is important that we continue to have good positive communication with SWAG合集 staff as we continue our long-standing partnership. The communications through the Corrections Advisory Council is important to the success of our programs.听 Many of our offenders who have completed SWAG合集 Vocational Welding and other programs eventually release to the local communities, continue employment in metal fabrication jobs and become successful taxpaying citizens.
Marty Sauers
Warden
Ellsworth Correctional Facility
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Agriculture
Serving on the Agriculture Advisory Council has been a very rewarding experience for me. We have many needs as employers in the community and serving on the board has given me a chance to express those needs. Our return on investment is found in the people we hire who have graduated from SWAG合集 with the qualifications we need.
I have also been asked to speak at the classroom level so I can better understand the students who are taking the classes and have a feel of the career goals set by today鈥檚 students.
I believe that since being on the advisory board, I feel better connected with the college and also other employers in surrounding communities. We have all gained valuable relationships that can help us come up with solutions for our questions and needs that we are all faced with in having qualified employees to help us grow our businesses.
Marvin Rose
Crop Production Manager
Great Bend COOP
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SWAG合集 Career Fair
CTE month will culminate with a Career Technical Education Fair from 1-3 p.m. March 1 in the Case New Holland Shop in the Northeast side of the Technical building. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and optional campus tours start at 10:30 a.m.
The fair is available for 8th grade students, high school students, current SWAG合集 students, community members and will feature demonstrations, hands-on-activities, refreshments, prizes and photo ops with the SWAG合集 mascot.听 To sign up, contact Denise Schreiber at (620) 792-9324 or听schreiberd@bartonccc.edu.