Officials from
Ottawa Area intermediate School District,
Herman Miller and
Grand Rapids Community College are launching a new and unique early college program for area high school students, combining work and education experiences during the school year and summer months.
Unlike other early college programs, sometimes referred to as middle college, the
Careerline Tech Center’s Early College Program integrates a corporate partner so students can participate in summer and year-long internships, and earn a professional industry certification.
“For years, Herman Miller has worked in partnership with OAISD and local schools to build a bridge between educational programming and preparing students for the workforce,” said Abe Carrillo, director of inclusiveness and diversity for Herman Miller. “Employers in the region have a great need for skilled trades, and our hope is to build on this model and engage more students and manufacturers in these types of partnerships.”
In addition to internship and certification opportunities, 11th-graders enrolled in one of five Careerline Tech Center skilled trades programs may earn up to 30 free transferable college credits through GRCC while they earn a high school diploma. Students remain in the program for a 13th year to graduate.
“We are honored to partner with local leaders Herman Miller and GRCC to offer this ‘outside the box’ new program. It combines high-level career and technical skills training through Tech Center instruction, with opportunities for industry work experience and free college credits for high school students,” said OAISD Superintendent Peter Haines. “Early College programs remove financial and other barriers for students to attend college, and this one in particular provides them with a competitive advantage to further their career opportunities after graduation.”
This summer, the nine high school juniors who have been accepted into the program will begin work experiences at Herman Miller and continue that work throughout the year. During fall of their senior year, students will start college coursework at GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus, located at the Thompson M-TEC facility in Holland.
“This is a win-win partnership,” GRCC President Dr. Steven C. Ender said. “It provides access to 21st century workforce skills and college credits for west Michigan’s need for skilled workers.”
In their 13th year, students will continue their work at Herman Miller for up to 20 hours per week and attend GRCC classes for up to 12 hours per week.
Upon successful completion of their 13th year, students graduate from the Early College program with a high school diploma, an Industrial Maintenance Certificate from GRCC and an official transcript with up to 30 free transferrable college credits.
Support systems are in place for all students to ensure success in the rigorous program. Students will meet weekly with a Success Coach who provides support in the areas of academics and work while evaluating students’ progress, needs and overall well-being. GRCC peer tutors will help students with college coursework.
According to Careerline Tech Center Director Dave Searles, the addition of an early college program is an ideal complement to the high-level career and technical training that has been provided to area high school students for nearly 40 years.
“For almost four decades, Careerline Tech Center programs have evolved along with employment needs of business and industry so that students are competitively positioned to gain employment when they graduate high school,” Searles said. “Some students are eager to begin a career working full-time right away, while others hope to land a high paying part-time job as they pay their way through college. Our new early college program creates additional opportunities for students as they try on for size both work and college simultaneously.”
The CTC Early College program is offered to eligible high school juniors enrolled in the following Careerline Tech Center programs: Electrical/Alternative Energy, Engineering Design and Machine Technologies, Mechatronics/Robotics and Welding. Students must apply and interview to be accepted into the program.