MRS Internal Communication: MCTI Times

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April 2023

Michigan Career & Technical Institute Times


MCTI Hosts First In-Person Graduation Since Pandemic

MCTI student standing at a podium in graduation cap and gown

On March 16, 2023, MCTI held a graduation ceremony honoring the 87 students who graduated in the Winter Term 2022 and Spring Term 2023.

This was the first in-person ceremony allowing students and invited guests - previous MCTI director and guest speaker Paul Mulka - since February 2020. 

We were thrilled to be able to bring this exciting celebration back for our students. You can read more about the event on SharePoint


School Calendar Redesign

MCTI logo

Did you know that all of the Instructional Staff are now full time civil service employees? This shift began in 2020, and came to fruition in 2021. At that time it was also decided that we would go to a more balanced calendar. 

This means there will be four quarterly terms of 10 weeks each, and three weeks between terms to allow for cleaning of rooms, in-service training, and meetings. This also means that our fall term began in July 2022, and summer term will end June 15,2023. The exact dates are listed below. 

2022-2023 School Calendar Summary

  • Fall Term: July 11, 2022 — September 15, 2022
  • Winter Term: October 10, 2022 — December 21, 2022
  • Spring Term: January 9, 2023 — March 16, 2023
  • Summer Term: April 10, 2023 — June 15, 2023

Infrastructure Improvements

If you haven't heard the GREAT news out of MCTI lately, it’s all about the numerous infrastructure improvements in the last several years.  As you may recall MCTI has been around since 1944, and buildings have been added on since then, but not much infrastructure upgrades have been taking place.

Collage of images of MCTI campus

Some of the changes include:

  • New asphalt around the entire campus. This project was completed in phases, beginning in 2016 and continuing in 2021. 
  • Adding a new roof on the entire building, beginning in 2021
  • Replacement of our boiler system from water to more efficient steam heat
  • New deck, rails and rain gutters on Kellogg Chapman House
  • New digital sign at the front entrance

MCTI Background

During World War II, the site was used for U.S. Coast Guard training and was visited by then Lt. Jack Dempsey, head of the Coast Guard’s physical fitness program. In 1944, the camp and its facilities were leased to the State of Michigan for the purpose of physical and vocational rehabilitation of veterans and other citizens of Michigan. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation conveyed the property to the state in 1947 to promote the health, education and welfare of mankind. It was named the Michigan Veterans Vocational School (MVVS) in 1952.


Industrial Electronics National Credentials

Three men looking at textbooks

Manufacturing Skills Institute has partnered with MCTI Trades Instructor Dave VanHoose, who is offering training for the following three national credentials as part of his Industrial Electronics Program at MCTI. 

  • Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1)
  • Manufacturing Specialist (MS)
  • Business Certification (BC)

To date 10 students have earned these national certifications. Nationally recognized credentials from MCTI offer our students an even greater opportunity for successful careers after graduation.  


MCTI at a Glance

Key Result Areas

21-22

20-21

19-20

18-19

Enrollment – CRC & Trades (non-duplicated)

377

536

420

880

Graduates

134

208

173

362

Employed graduates from previous year

87%

87%

82%

87%

Graduates from previous year employed in trade

84%

81%

83%

83%

Graduate Satisfaction (overall)

93%

93%

82%

91%

NOTE: All 2021-2022 data was impacted by reduced enrollment numbers due to school calendar changes, 21-22 held 3 terms instead of 4.

Strategic Goals and Outcomes 2021-2023

Goal 1—Admissions and Enrollment—Continuously improve the admissions and enrollment process and bring campus enrollment numbers back to full capacity within the trades.

MCTI campus in black and white

Goal 2— Career Readiness Center—The Career Readiness Center will provide cost-effective vocational assessment, remediation, and support to trade training at MCTI.

Goal 3— CTE Distance Learning—Increase MCTI’s CTE Distance Learning opportunities, and implement a learning management system (Moodle).

Goal 4— CTE Fast Track Programming—Ensure that all CTE program have Campus-Based Fast Track Programming, remedial training integrated into trades.

Goal 5— Workforce Innovation and Apprenticeships—Work with the statewide apprenticeship expansion programs and grant funding for placement. Established professional cook apprenticeships for three MRS customers.


Registered Apprenticeships and Employment

Michigan Golf Course Association logo with no background

MCTI established a statewide partnership with Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) and the LEO Registered Apprenticeship team. This resulted in establishing Registered Apprenticeship programs for Journeyman or Journeywoman and Greenskeeper II. 

Registered Apprenticeship programs are also available in the SED! Grounds Maintenance graduates from the Southeast District have an opportunity to work as an apprentice at a local sponsoring company to become Journeyman or Journeywoman, or a Landscape Management Technician.

Torch 180, MCTI staff and Apprenticeship staff signing Registered Apprenticeship forms

MRS' first three apprentices under the Statewide Apprenticeship Expansion program, who signed their Registerd Apprenticeship documents at Torch 180 in Livingston County last year, are on track to achieve the outcome of Journeyman Professional Cook.

Pictured, from left: Callan Eschenburg (LEO-WD), Carrie Sutton (LEO-WD), Brian Smith (MCTI), Rhonda Callanan (Torch 180), Tiffanie Clawson (USDOL), and apprentices Shaun Gillespie, Vikram Durci, and Blake Clay.


MCTI Graduate Uses Skills in Dream Job

Justin Scripter in chef's uniform in front of restaurant sign

Despite the delays created by the pandemic, MCTI Culinary graduate, Justin Scripter continued to advocate and persevere in pursuit of opportunities.

Justin began his MCTI culinary studies in January 2022, where he immediately demonstrated a keen eye for detail in every dish he created. Justin’s cleaning skills are impeccable.

During his final term, Justin approached his instructors and support team to advocate for an externship. With supports from his team, he applied, interviewed for and was hired in a sanitation role at Gun Lake Casino (GLC), just north of the MCTI campus. He pursued his driver’s license and the purchase of a vehicle. Within just a couple of months on the job, MCTI worked with HR and the food services staff at the casino to move him into an externship role as a food prep worker.

Justin has worked in food prep at GLC since August 2022 in two of the three casino restaurants, learning and adapting to each menu and kitchen/chef expectations.

“Justin has been there for me when I needed a night prep cook," said GLC Chef Dustin Dexter. "He has gained more experience in his short time with GLC than most new direct hires.”

"My training at MCTI helped me gain general knowledge like knife usage, portioning and safe food handling practices," shared Justin. "I learned how to meet sanitation expectation. I take those methods into my work where it has been recognized at in my current job.”


Congratulations & Welcome

PROMOTIONS:

  • Andrew Kelley—Promoted to Admissions Coordinator

RETIREMENTS:

  • Jeff Durham—Custodial Instructor
  • DJ Jimenez—Fire & Safety Officer
  • Robert Wood—Youth Specialist

NEW HIRES

  • Lindsy Barton—Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Curt Kelly—Electrician
  • Grace Hettinger—Career Readiness Instructor
  • Alyssa McCoy—Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
  • Tanya Merica—General Office Assistant, Health Services
  • Dr. Pamela Miller—Information Technology Instructor
  • Jody Ramaker— Career Readiness Instructor
  • Matt Glave—Cabinetmaking Instructor

Did you know? When a civil service position is posted to the State of Michigan' NEO-GOV website, it is also posted on MiTalent.org and the LEO-E&T social media channels. Be sure to follow LEO-E&T on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to see the most recent postings!


Michigan Career and Technical Institute
Office of Employment and Training
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity