“Welcome to Oakland Schools Technical Campus and Career Focused Education, where ‘Seeing is Believing’…”  Paul Galbenski, Dean, OSTC-NE

KICK-OFF: On September 27, 2013, Oakland Schools Technical Campus-Northeast (OSTC) hosted the first Education and Business Community Partnership meeting in Pontiac. The partnership was created as an outgrowth of the OSTC ‘North Star’ guiding principle for its Career Focused Education (CFE) program on four campuses, to ensure that:

“Every student graduates progressing to quality post-secondary learning!”

The new partnership between OSTC and the founding North Star business and education participants (Arrow Racing Engines; Dorsey Schools; Troy Michigan Works!; Macomb Community College) provides an important, collaborative link between high school, college and career for Oakland County students.

Paul Galbenski, Dean, OSTC-NE (L) in Transportation Tech cluster

The mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities created by the partnership will generate a pipeline of qualified Michigan workers educated with strong technical skills – skills that OSTC high school students are uniquely prepared to grow, based on their combined background in academic, career and technical education.

North Star partnership representatives were given a physical tour of the OSTC campus programs supporting emerging industries/technologies and an overview of the opportunities to work with students. Reps were able to view student work (plus taste-test Orange Glazed Scones fresh out of the oven prepared by Culinary Arts students!) and meet instructors from all nine of OSTC’s career ‘clusters’:

• Biotechnology and Environmental Science
• iTEAM (Information Tech, Entrepreneurship, Advanced Marketing)
• Construction Technology
• Culinary Arts and Hospitality
• Engineering/Emerging Technologies
• Health Sciences
• Human Services/Cosmetology
• Transportation Technology
• Visual Imaging Technology

OSTC SUCCESS STORY

(L) Instructor Steve Langdon & SkillsUSA medalists Jacob Stidwell & Evan Wieczorek with North Star partners.

During the tour, the group had a photo opportunity with two of the three OSTC-NE Welding Fabrication Team Silver Medal winners from the 2013 SkillsUSA National Competition in June in Kansas City, Missouri. The highly talented team consisted of Jacob Stidwill, Rochester Stoney Creek High School, Michelle Vought, Oxford High School, and Evan Wieczorek, Lake Orion High School. Jacob and Evan are currently attending Washtenaw Community College on scholarship; Michelle is studying Welding Technology at Ohio Technical College. All three were recent students of Instructor Steve Langdon, who can be justifiably proud about the nationally ranked quality within his Engineering/Emerging Technologies (EET) cluster at OSTC.

“It’s very obvious to me that OSTC is putting students on a path to success. I’m so convinced of it that I enrolled both of my own teenagers in their programs. I’m excited about the vast opportunities it will provide for them, both now and in the future.” ~ Don Hutchison, Macomb Community College, Associate Dean, Engineering Technology

MICHIGAN’S FUTURE SUCCESS STORY

In addition to welding, OSTC’s EET students also learn high-tech engineering technologies like mechatronics, which include virtual simulation, computerized manufacturing, rapid prototyping and alternative energies. Students advance with core foundational skills, including: design processes (CAD), electricity/electronics, fluid power (hydraulics/pneumatics), machining/mechanical, quality insurance and robotics.

“As many of us are aware, it is imperative for our state that we train more of our young people in fields like Mechatronics, Robotics, Information Technology and Computer-Aided-Design. Technology is changing so quickly that our old models of training and education are failing us. Fortunately for high school students in Oakland County, the OSTC programs prepare them for the high-tech fields of tomorrow, today.” ~ Don Hutchison, Macomb Community College, Associate Dean, Engineering Technology

Oakland Schools Technical Campuses are working hard to prepare students for “the high-tech fields of tomorrow”, and will continue to solidify and expand the business and education community partnership for OSTC student success. North Star is a shining first step for Michigan’s future workforce…

*INTERESTED in becoming a North Star partner with OSTC? Please contact Cynthia Scherphorn at 248.209.2054

Blog Editor: Jean MacLeod, Communications/Oakland Schools

AND… MORE about OAKLAND SCHOOLS

 Oakland Schools • 2111 Pontiac Lake Road • Waterford, MI 48328-2736 • 248.209.2000