RETURN TO EARN: CTE students are back in class to gain certifications
In CTE Welding Technology, Beaverton senior Kix Bradfield adjusts settings on the shear as he cuts parts to earn American Society of Welding certifications.
Gladwin graduate Caleb Collison performs a tire balance as CTE Automotive Technology Instructor Donald Maurer observes.
CTE Welding Technology Paraeducator Phil Schafer checks work performed by Harrison senior Colton Brand during the program’s AWS certification process.
In CTE Automotive Technology, Gladwin seniors Jacob McLemore and Darsh Kashyap prepare a vehicle for alignment as part of refreshing what they learned during the school year ahead of ASE testing.
High school students in the Clare-Gladwin Career & Technical Education program were back to business last week, and the sound of young voices working in the lab has rarely been so nice to hear.
CTE students in Automotive Technology and Welding Technology were invited back to class starting July 20 for a chance to finish part of what they started before COVID-19 shut schools down – in this case, earning industry certifications.
“This week and next, we’re getting kids caught up on their certifications,” said CTE Welding Technology Paraeducator Phil Schafer. “They only had half the semester before the shutdown, so whatever they hadn’t gotten done, we’re doing it.”
In a typical school year, CTE students in all classes earn industry certifications that help them compete in the workforce before and after graduation. In the case of these returning students, they can gain accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the American Society of Welders. Between the two classes, about 30 students are taking part.
In the Auto Tech lab, located on the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District’s Magnus Center property, students are doing a brief recap on what they learned during the school year before concluding the week with ASE testing.
“I’ve got two sets of classes going for the kids for whenever they can show up,” said CTE Automotive Technology Instructor Donald Maurer. “They’re coming in and we’re doing refreshers on all the basics, trying to cover as many things as we can to get them ready to take their ASE test, which they didn’t get to do in the spring when school shut down.”
Both teachers noted a high level of enthusiasm from students whom they hadn’t seen since March 13.
“They’re fired up,” Schafer said. “They really wanted to come back. We’re busy in here all of a sudden, all over again. We’ve got a small window here, but these guys are kicking butt. We’ve got a morning session and an afternoon session, but they just end up staying all day, and I’m so cool with that.”
“It’s been absolutely great,” Maurer added. “They’re ecstatic to be back, and that’s why I was more than glad to do this. I missed the kids, missed seeing them every day, missed helping them out, missed finding out how their lives are going. We have kids showing up early and staying late just to talk. That was the toughest part - not knowing how they were doing with all this.”
Schafer’s students are earning AWS certifications in areas like Sense MIG - Short Circuit, Carbon Steel, Flux Core, Sense TIG - Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum, and Sense Stick (2G and 3G). Maurer’s class is getting entry-level ASE certification for things like Maintenance & Light Repair, Electrical, Brakes and Suspension/Steering. Attaining these industry stamps of approval will open doors, Schafer said.
“They’re actually official certifications,” he said. “So that’ll get these guys looked at by employers ahead of somebody who doesn’t have them. Plus, it looks good on a résumé.”
Students were eager to learn, and both instructors hope it carries over into the school year that begins in just a few weeks.
“They’ve been great,” Maurer said with a wide grin. “They’re paying attention, they’re glad to be here and it’s been fantastic. I’m ready to go back to school.”