Lima City Schools’ officials, students and business and industry supporters held a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 2, to kick off Career Tech Month and to release results of the State Career Tech Report Card.
Lima Senior’s Career Tech program saw success on the report card, earning an overall B.
“This report card is essential to our school district and community,” Superintendent Jill Ackerman said. “It shows if a program is effective and if students are finding success both while in the program and beyond. And I am proud to say that the answer to these questions here at Lima Senior is a resounding yes.”
The graduation rate moved from a B last year to an A this year, with 96.7% of Career Tech students graduating in four years, and 92.8% graduating in five years. Those numbers last year were 89.7% and 96.2%.
The program also earned an A in Post Secondary Outcomes. That means 94.2% of Lima Senior’s Career Tech graduates are either employed, in an apprenticeship, in the military, or enrolled in post-secondary education.
The press conference included remarks from staff and students and from business and industry. The district continues to forge relationships with local business and industry. Those partnerships help the school tailor its programs and get students positive experiences in the community,
“These relationships help us better train our students for what the workforce needs,” Ackerman said. “The partnerships provide more opportunities for our students both while they are with us and after graduation.”
The district will use the month of October to highlight Career Tech with pictures, videos and information on its social media platforms. Information on each of the Career Tech programs is available at www.limacityschools.org.
Anyone wanting information about the programs or to learn more about partnering with the school should call 419-996-3060.
Below is a brief overview of the district’s growing career tech offerings.
Automotive Technology – Students learn skills in alignment, brakes, diagnosing and troubleshooting problems, computerized diagnostic techniques, steering and suspension and much more. They work in an onsite automotive garage that is open to the public. Graduates find jobs as automotive and diagnostic technicians, parts department managers, services managers and service writers.
Construction Trades – Students learn design, concrete and masonry and carpentry, including layout and measuring, walls, siding, roofing, rafters and stairs. Students get real-work experience, working on projects in the community. One project was the Cook Park bathroom. The program prepares students to become
architects/engineers, carpenters, concrete and masonry workers, project managers and sales associates.
Early Childhood Education – Working in a WOCAP preschool housed at Lima Senior, students leave the program with the skills they need to pursue careers as preschool teachers, childcare providers and nannies. They get experiences creating lesson plans and hands-on activities for children. There is also the opportunity to work as a paraprofessional in the district while still enrolled in high school.
Engineering Technology — Students enrolled become computer technicians, computer aided design operators, engineering technicians, electrical and mechanical engineers. With Project Lead the Way curriculum, students use design development processes while enriching problem-solving skills. They create and analyze models using specialized computer software.
Graphic Communications – Work of these students is highly visible in the school and community. While operating as a design and print shop, students develop skills in digital graphic imaging, print manufacturing processes, screen printing and Desktop design and publishing. Graduates become graphic designers, print production workers, online graphic designers and technical solution specialists.
Hospitality and Food Service Management – Students in this program operate the Spartan Inn, a restaurant that is open to the public two days a week. Learning everything from cooking and food safety to management and budgeting, students leave prepared to become banquet managers, caterers, chefs, food presentation designers, kitchen managers and nutrition assistants.
Marketing Education (DECA) – Through classroom work, projects, competitions and running a Spirt Store, students learn about advertising, communication, management principles and techniques, economics, display merchandising, human relations and marketing research. Graduates become account representatives, market researchers, marketing specialists, product managers and promotion coordinators.
Patient Care Technology – Students learn First Aid, CPR, medical terminology, nutrition, infection control, basic health care, anatomy, EKG, catherization and respiratory therapy. Graduates become patient care technicians, clinical coordinators, medical office supervisors, patient care assistants and monitor technicians. Students earn training hours for various programs and get a head start toward a nursing degree.
Welding and Metal Fabrication — Students learn various kinds of welding and cutting, aluminum MIG, reading and drawing blueprints, press brake operations, metal shear and metal roller, diesel drive, Spot and Oxy-fuel brazing. They build the buggies taken to the NASA Rover Challenge each year. After graduation, they work as boiler makers, fabricators, iron workers, pipefitters, welders and welding inspectors.
