New school year brings major updates for St. Joseph County CTE

Seventh graders across St. Joseph County will soon climb aboard a new mobile classroom designed to introduce them to the world of advanced manufacturing. The CTE Mobile Lab, unveiled at the St. Joseph County Fair earlier this month, is one of several major updates to the county’s Career and Technical Education programs this school year.

The traveling lab will make stops at all nine partner districts — Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon — giving every seventh grader a chance to spend 45 minutes exploring its equipment. The experience includes a pre-lesson, time inside the lab, and a follow-up activity.

“We wanted to create a flagship experience for younger students to learn about advanced manufacturing opportunities,” said Jim Berry, CTE director for St. Joseph County ISD. “The cobot, robot dog, and 3D tools connect directly to high-demand careers in our region, and we hope this sparks interest in pathways they can pursue here in the county.”

Inside the lab, students will test automation and programming, fabrication and welding, CNC tools, and design technology. Coordinators Beth Betcke and Stacy Avery will manage scheduling for all districts, and Berry said the lab will also be shared with community groups, including a presentation to the Sturgis Kiwanis Club in October.

The new school year also brought good news for CTE’s automotive program, which earned five more years of accreditation from the ASE Education Foundation in Maintenance and Light Repair. Local employers participated in the review process, which Berry said affirmed the program’s safety standards, tools, and curriculum.

“Our advisory committee values ASE accreditation because it ensures we meet or exceed industry standards and it better prepares our students for future jobs,” Berry said.

Meanwhile, CTE construction students are applying their classroom skills on real building sites. In Sturgis, students are constructing a one-story home at 1453 Flanders St. through a partnership with the Sturgis Neighborhood Program. In Constantine, another group is working with Habitat for Humanity on a home at 160 E. Third Street, with an open house scheduled September 22 to showcase last year’s build.

To support students with Individualized Education Programs, 504 plans, or English language needs, the consortium created a new position this year: Special Populations Consultant. Former Three Rivers High School assistant principal Nick Cook-VandenBrink was hired to serve in the role.

“Because students often leave their home high school to attend off-campus CTE programs, we wanted to make sure they’re getting the proper support in every setting,” Berry said.

Enrollment in CTE programs reached more than 750 students this fall, the highest in Berry’s four years leading the consortium. That’s about 60 more than last year. HVAC, electrical and plumbing, and culinary arts programs are among the most in-demand, with waitlists continuing to grow.

CTE also expanded partnerships with local industries, including aviation training through Three Rivers Aero, which allows students to study under a Western Michigan University aviation graduate. Each program has its own advisory committee, and a countywide committee of about 20 business leaders helps guide decisions on budgets, curriculum and new offerings.

This fall, CTE students will take part in Manufacturing Week, September 29 through October 3, with visits to area companies. Some of those visits have already led to internships and apprenticeships. Later in October, agriscience students will join peers from across the country at the FFA National Convention.

Berry said those experiences reflect CTE’s four pillars: classroom instruction, lab learning, work-based learning, and student leadership.

“We want every student in the county to see a pathway for themselves — whether that’s college, a skilled trade, or directly into the workforce,” he said.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.