Bridging the Talent Gap
To maintain a thriving economy, students need to be prepared for high-demand, well-paying jobs, yet there are currently more jobs than skilled workers to fill them. This series looks at how schools are preparing students for the future workforce.
IT, culinary arts launching as middle-college options
The Kent ISD middle-college program, Launch U, is offering two new programs, IT and culinary arts, as pathways to earn GRCC college credits...
Cracking the code
First Robotics coach Ryan Hoch will offer a summer Lego program, and has plans to add a robotics program to the middle school this fall...
Trades are a passion for this award winner
Senior Mia Ramos is one of 65 high-school students statewide to be named a recipient of the 2021 Breaking Traditions Awards from the Michigan Department of Education...
New courses allow students to earn IT certifications
A new program at Wyoming High School offers the opportunity for students to earn credentials in information technology, helping pave the way toward in-demand, high-wage computer jobs...
Demand for pharmacy techs leads to new program
Another hybrid session runs April 12 to July 30 and has room for up to 16 students...
Career exploration goes virtual
More than 1,700 students from Kent County and beyond took part in this year’s Groundhog Shadow Day event, the highest attendance ever...
Help wanted: auto mechanics
Kent ISD and GRCC programs create a pathway to careers that can pay top technicians anywhere from $80,000 to more than $100,000 per year...
‘Chem-gineering’ unit encourages creativity
Project NEXT students are at it again, learning by doing...
Mental health checks and career exploration find virtual home in school districts
A tool students can use with their phones is opening doors to careers -- many of them local -- and giving administrators a read on emotional wellness...
Essential workers get high school diplomas thanks to state program
Futures for Frontliners offers free community college tuition to essential workers. The program also helps people earn a high-school GED...
High school career center shifts to project-based learning focus
No more usual, scheduled six-hour school day. Gone are letter grades; instead, concrete standards are detailed on a hybrid transcript...
Virtual career exploration a hit with students
The district helped shape the online program, which is now being used to varying degrees by a handful of area schools...
New academy preps students for hospitality, tourism careers
A new academy at Ottawa Hills High School aims to prepare students for good careers in hospitality and tourism...
New program aims to get students to graduation, expand career pathways
Last year the program had 70 students. This year, after restructuring, the program has 135 and counting...
New coordinator will be face of career-work experience effort
Her role includes creating job opportunities, serving as a liaison with businesses and helping students hone skills employers want them to master...
Heavy-metal ready
Fourteen students, including several women, graduated from the first cohort of Metallica Scholars, an eight-week welding course...
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