KCSD’s Career and Technology Program “Teaches The Skills To Pay The Bills” at Central Mountain and Bucktail Area High Schools
By Emily Wright
MILL HALL – The Career and Technology Center (CTC) at Central Mountain High School has a state-of-the-art educational complex that serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. Bucktail Area High School students can also participate in the program via a satellite site at the high school.
The program’s curriculum combines academic, career, and technical education. It allows students to explore and develop the skills they need after graduation by enabling them to take college courses, earn industry certifications, earn dual enrollment credits, and earn articulated credits depending on the program of study, all while completing high school. Whether a student is interested in anything from drafting and design to healthcare, there is a CTC program for everyone.
The Record sat down with Kurt Lynch, Director of Keystone Central’s Career and Technology Education (CTE), and Daci Killinger, Diversified Occupations/Cooperative Education Coordinator, to get an update on CTC programs and find out how currently enrolled students at CMHS are performing in them.
“We want people to know that Career and Technology Education is for everybody,” Killinger emphasized. With 14 different programs to choose from, students can pursue a variety of career avenues. This school year, the CTC added new programs, including Protective Services, General Education, and Entrepreneurship, also known as the Business Academy. The programs offered give students a chance to get their feet wet in an industry before fully committing to it after graduation.
Every program has an articulated credit agreement with Commonwealth University-Lock Haven and Penn College. When a student completes a program, they receive the articulated credit, which is equivalent to three college credits. Obtaining those credits before graduating high school saves both money and time for students who choose to continue their education.
In addition to earning college credits, every program offered through the CTC leads to a certification upon completion. “Last year, about 530 students ended up with 1195 certifications; that was just in one year,” Lynch said. During the 2023-2024 school year, five students became certified EMTs through the Health Occupations Course, and five became Certified Nursing Assistants. This May, 18 students will take courses to obtain certification to become patient care technicians, and those are only a few examples. During the 2022-2023 school year, 1,905 students obtained industry certifications from the state through the CTC Program.
Lynch emphasized that CTE has a positive impact on both the school and the community because it allows students to gain work experience at local businesses, depending on the program they’re enrolled in. He added that the more students enrolled in the CTC program, the better because it helps to bring revenue to local businesses and companies, and their employment leads to funding for the school district from the state.
A handful of the forward-thinking students who’ve demonstrated success while enrolled in a CTC program at CMHS were asked to offer insight into their journey and experiences.
Abby Walker, a senior at CMHS, is enrolled in the Health Occupations program. When asked about her decision to enroll, Walker expressed that her strong desire to work in the healthcare field was the main influence. She plans to pursue a career in nursing after graduation.
Although she is not earning articulated or dual enrollment college credits through the program, Walker has the option to do so. Through the program, Walker will earn certifications in CPR, OSHA, and Child Abuse upon completion. Currently, she is participating in an internship at Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, where she works alongside the nurses as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) in three different departments: the medical-surgical/critical care area, the operating room, and the emergency department.
“My favorite aspect of being enrolled in the Health Occupations CTC Program is how much you learn about every aspect of the field you are studying,” Walker said. “You learn what it’s really like to work in your field and what it means to you to become a part of your chosen area. You have great interactions with other students who have the same interests as you, and you can learn and help each other as a team along the way,” she added. Walker encourages others who are considering enrolling in a CTC program to “just go for it!”.
As she nears the end of her CTC program, Walker is grateful for the opportunity to gain practical skills and confirm her passion for nursing. She has received valuable feedback and advice from her co-workers, which will guide her in her next steps.
Sofia Dressler, a senior this year, is thriving in her CTC program of choice – Drafting and Design. Dressler shares that she was initially drawn to the program for its challenging and advanced curriculum. Having already completed several advanced classes, she desired the opportunity to be challenged in a new way. Dressler found the Drafting and Design program to be the perfect fit for her educational and career goals. She highlighted the program’s unique offering of college credits through Penn College, which will give her a jumpstart in her college education.
Dressler has already earned over 18 college credits and plans to pursue a career in engineering after graduation. She has also completed various certifications, including OSHA and SolidWorks, and she will complete the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam and Autodesk Inventor certifications by the end of the school year.
Along with her academic achievements, Dressler is currently participating in a paid co-op position at First Quality, gaining hands-on experience in different departments. “I have shadowed each of the engineering departments, working with the Quality, Process, and Maintenance teams. Some of the tasks I complete on a daily basis include modeling 3-D parts in Autodesk Inventor, analyzing downtime data with Microsoft Excel, and analyzing processes on the ‘Wipes Floor.’”
As far as her advice for students who are contemplating whether to enroll in a CTC program or not, Dressler emphasizes the value they can gain through the experience, stating, “CTE is such a great way to experience careers in a direct way. Other classes don’t show you what a career is really like. Personally, drafting and design have offered me hands-on experience with computer programs, a part-time job as a part of the co-op program, and numerous certifications that will make me competitive in the workforce or in college. I have learned how to tackle problems efficiently and effectively, communicate assertively, and be confident in myself and my abilities,” she said. “CTE classes are not just offering knowledge; they provide independence and critical thinking skills beyond the classroom.”
For Dressler, the most exciting aspect of being enrolled in Drafting and Design is the constant challenge it offers. Coming in as a junior, she initially struggled to get caught up, but now she is well-equipped to handle any situation that comes her way. “Now, with my Drafting abilities up to speed, I feel like I see problems from a different perspective. I bring a technical side to academic problems and an academic prowess to technical problems. I am so much more equipped to tackle anything in my way,” she shared.
Logan Dawes, a senior at the CTC, shared his experiences as a student in the Diversified Occupations program. Dawes explained that he chose this particular program because he wanted to gain hands-on experience in a workplace setting. After graduation, he plans to pursue a degree in business.
Dawes also mentioned that he is earning elective college credits through the program by taking and scoring well on the NOCTI test. So far, he has earned three college credits, and upon completion of the program, he will receive additional certifications such as Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Personal Budgeting training.
Dawes spends most of his time at work shadowing his coworkers and boss. He explained that this hands-on experience has been one of the most valuable aspects of the program, as he is able to ask experienced individuals specific questions and learn from them.
When asked about his thoughts on students considering enrolling in a CTC program, Dawes encouraged them to pursue it because it offers opportunities and training that students at other schools don’t get.
Dawes shared that his participation in the Diversified Occupations program has been extremely beneficial because it has provided him with skills and experiences that make him more valuable to an employer.
Taylor Campbell, a senior at the CTC, is also currently enrolled in the Diversified Occupations program. She was drawn to this program after excelling in her Penn College Dual Enrollment Web Design course and wanted to challenge herself further and expand her graphic design skills. When asked about her post-graduation plans, Taylor expressed an interest in pursuing a minor in Graphic Design at Penn State in addition to her already accepted major in Landscape Architecture.
Through the Diversified Occupations program, Taylor is earning three articulated college credits and has already satisfactorily completed NOCTI testing. When she completes the program, she will receive NOCTI certification. She currently works as a graphic designer for the CTE office at CMHS under Kurt Lynch, CTE Director.
When asked about her favorite aspect of the program, Taylor said that she is glad to be able to enjoy her senior year of high school while enrolled. “My favorite part is that I am still able to be involved with my school during my senior year and also that I can experience the school environment from a new perspective. I have gained more respect for staff members at our school and value the takeaways I’ve learned from my internship,” she said.
For students considering enrolling in a CTC program, Taylor encourages them to take the opportunity to broaden their skills and open up new opportunities. She also highlighted the ability to earn money by working as opposed to attending three study halls during senior year.
Although Taylor does not plan to continue her internship after graduation, she values the experience and says she will carry it with her into her next level of education.
Central Mountain High School senior Tanner Doverspike is making waves in the real estate industry even before graduating, thanks to the CTC program. Doverspike is currently enrolled in the Construction Trades program and plans to pursue a career in real estate after graduation.
When asked about his decision to choose the Construction Trades program, Doverspike shared that his interest in becoming an investor in real estate influenced his choice. He plans to “fix and flip” homes in the area and wants to have the skills to do some of the work himself.
Doverspike has already received his real estate license and OSHA certification through the CTC’s Construction Trades program and has also earned six college credits. He completed an internship with Davis Real Estate, Inc. during his junior year and is working as a realtor for SWC Realty this year as part of his internship.
For students considering enrolling in a CTC program, Doverspike has some advice: “If you have an inkling of a career you want to do and there is a CTE class for it, do it.”
As for his favorite aspect of the program, Doverspike enjoys getting hands-on experience and gaining a deeper understanding of the industry he plans to pursue. ”Being able to get out and see if the job I thought I wanted is actually what I want to do, and in my case, it is. Also, getting a deeper understanding of how to repair homes is a great tool to have.”
For more information about the Career and Technology Center and its programs, contact the CMHS office or visit the website or Facebook page.
Phone: 570-893-4900 Ext. 4301
Email: ctcinfo@kcsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://ctc.kcsd.us/academics/curriculum
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KCSDCTC/
