Business support for teacher training elevates student potential

If ever there was a win-win situation, it exists in the Industrial Arts Department at Clear Lake High School.

Thanks to Billion Ford of Clear Lake, CLHS instructor Mike Lester was able to attend a special “NC3 Train the Trainer” in North Carolina recently.  Following a week of intensive training, Lester has returned to CLHS with the ability to certify students in specific areas which will aid in accelerating their completion of college-level programs, as well as give them a leg-up in the job market.

Transportation Fundamentals, along with Maintenance Shop Operations are areas in which CLHS students have the opportunity to earn college credit in during their high school careers.  With the prop-

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er prerequisites, seniors can attend North Iowa Community College and participate in its career academy.  With dual credits from high school and NIACC, seniors can effectively earn four college credits and complete one-half of NIACC’s automotive program by the time they graduate from high school.  Credits earned during high school are paid for and those pursuing the Associate Degree in Applied Science can qualify for scholarships.

Lester’s recent NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) endorsement makes him part of a network of education providers and corporations which support, advance and sustain new and emerging technology skills in the transportation, aviation and energy industry sectors.  His training included mastery of precision measurements and work with digital multi-meters.

The Clear Lake School System is a member of a consortium of high schools which act as a regional academy for automotive students.  Member schools pooled funds to purchase tools and instruments needed by skilled mechanics.  Lester is the only high school teacher in the consortium who is now able to check out the tool cabinets from NIACC and teach diagnostic, multimeter and other automotive service technician skills in his high school classroom.

“With what they can learn here, students can become certified in skills that will be a real boost to their resumes right out of school and will make for an easy transition between school and an employer,” said Lester.

Paul Eich, general manager of Billion Ford in Clear Lake, agreed.

“The number one position I am always looking for is mechanics.  And the fact that these students are learning the skills and becoming certified while still in high school is just amazing,” said Eich.  “Billion is a large employer (with locations throughout the Midwest) and there are many places and good paying jobs which these young people will be ready to step into.”

A win-win for both students and employers.

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