A leg up on technical education

Elkhorn Area High school honored for increasing its certifications

By Heather Ruenz

Staff Writer

Elkhorn Area High School was recently honored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers for its leadership and innovation in career and technical education at the school.

JoAnne Pella, the continuing education coordinator for EAHS, said the school was one of 11 institutions in the country that achieved the recognition.

“Our selection was based on our work in doubling the number of issued technical education certifications each year since 2017,” she said.

The certifications are earned in classes such as auto technician, intro to machining, machining 1 and 2, machining manufacturing standards and computer integrated manufacturing.

“The certifications are driven by critical industry needs and national standards. By working to achieve these credentials, students graduate with up-to-date industry knowledge and competencies required in their field,” Pella said.

Examples of certifications students earn include: measurement (tape and rule, slide caliper, gauge, micrometer, angle), wheel service, multimeter and battery maintenance.

Pella said the success of the tech ed classes and increase in certifications at EAHS are thanks to teachers Mike Thomas and Austin Thorson.

“They have been motivating students to earn these industry recognized credentials, which play a role in student and employment success,” Pella said.

Thomas and Thorson said being able to offer the certifications is a big advantage to students, including those who jump right into a career after high school.

“Even if a student gets one certification they can go apply for a job at a local machine shop and have a leg up on someone who isn’t certified,” Thomas said.

“I’ve already had some kids who have been able to bypass a class, too, because of having that certification but more than that, it’s that they know the basics because of what they had to learn to get certified,” Thorson added.

Both teachers said the skills learned are transferrable and they’ve had students go to Gateway Technical College who have been able to skip classes in a program because of what they learned at the high school level.

Partnerships sought

The men said they’ve partnered with some employers such as Certified Power, Precision Plus, Hudapack, Kunes Country Auto Group and Southside Auto – all of which have supported the classes and certification programs with donations and supplies.

“We would love to work with more employers, including them making presentations about how the certifications and classes relate to jobs they offer, and to allow us to take students on tours,” Pella said.

“And of course we appreciate donations of money and supplies such as tools or machinery that still works but maybe they’re offloading or upgrading,” she added.

Thorson said EAHS has done well at competition – last year they earned first and third place and that was against some areas with a lot more kids.

“We’ve seen a huge shift in kids going into the trades, that’s for sure,” he said.

Pella said students are realizing it’s a viable option.

“College is great but it isn’t for everyone and students are learning there are other directions they can go and be very successful,” she said.

Many positives

Thomas said an unexpected upside to the increase in certifications has been that some of the students it’s inspired to try something new.

“I think another advantage to is it gives students a start in a direction. They begin to understand what’s involved in certain industries and jobs. It gives them a mechanical ability that they may not always get and they become interested in things that they didn’t realize they enjoyed before entering the program.”

“It does help draw kids in,” Thorson added.

Thomas said the shortages in skilled trades are serious and this year, in particular, has pointed out not only the need for manufacturing, but on what can be a grand scale at times.

“Look how big it’s been with the coronavirus. It was huge with the ventilators being built and many other things there were shortages of that were needed,” Thorson said.

“We’re lucky. We can teach these kids manufacturing and how it really works, from quality control and sales to logistics and management,” Thomas added.

Thorson said in his auto shop class he features a mock shop, which includes kids doing sales, invoices, customer service and mechanics.

Committed to the future

Both teachers – as well as Elkhorn Area High School – are invested in the growth of certifications offered, which are in addition to their normal classes. They had to undergo separate training in order to be able to certify students.

Thomas said he was required to pass training with an 80% or higher.

“It’s stringent to make sure you teach it correctly,” he said.

Thorson said he flew to Arizona for the meter certification training.

“It was intense. A lot of it is at a technical college level so it’s a step up. I was one of two high school teachers out of 35 people in the training,” he said.

Both men said it’s about their desire to teach students and help them secure their future.

“It does take a lot of time but is worth it for the students. It’s a balancing act because you don’t want to take away from the other things you want to teach but you also don’t want to restrict the student who want to have a leg up,” Thomas said.

Thorson agreed.

“It’s trying to figure out what’s going to be the most beneficial for them and it varies from student to student,” he said. “And it’s nice because students can take the certifications up to three times.”

Thorson and Thomas agreed making the connection to real life is possibly the most important lesson in regard to high school classes in the trades and the offering of certifications.

“I’ve had former students come back and share their real world experience and that really helps,” Thorson said.

Thomas said his daughter is a CNC operator at Pentair and can’t believe what’s now being offered at the high school level and that’s a good lesson for current students.

“Kids need to see a worth in what they’re learning and when they see that it can actually lead to a career down the road, they realize it applies to the rest of their life,” Thomas said.