For the fourth consecutive year, Benton Harbor Promise students got the chance to rub elbows with professionals from a broad array of career paths in the 4th Annual Career & Technical Education Expo hosted at the Lake Michigan College Hanson Technology Center. This was the first time, however, that the dynamic new Tech Center was the site of the Expo.
From manufacturers like Whirlpool Corporation and Vickers Engineering, to financial institutions and service industries and even the Michigan State Police, students were able to scan the opportunities available to them as potential career fields as they continue their K-12 education.
The Expo’s purpose is to heighten Benton Harbor Area Schools students’ awareness regarding postsecondary Career & Technical Educational opportunities including skilled trades and other career avenues that can be obtained with a two year associates degree or certificate.
The team at Kinexus partnered with Benton Harbor Promise to make the Expo a reality. Alloyd Blackmon is Executive Director of the Benton Harbor Promise program. She says, “By 2020, some 65 to 70-percent of Michigan’s jobs will require education and training beyond high school. Postsecondary is no longer optional, it’s becoming a necessity in order to earn a living wage.”
Blackmon pointed out that a number of postsecondary institutions including Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College as well as career technical education programs offering CTE postsecondary degrees and certificates were also on hand to greet the students today and answer their questions regarding education and programming.
The Benton Harbor Promise offers a two year scholarship for students who live in Benton Harbor and graduate from one of the three schools. The award provides up to two years of the average annual tuition cost for public community college. The award can be used at any community college or Pell grant eligible certificate program within the state of Michigan.
The Benton Harbor Promise was launched in 2011 with a mission to help all students in the greater Benton Harbor area achieve postsecondary education, with the realization that every students, regardless of financial means, should have the opportunity to earn postsecondary credentials.
Today’s six-hour expo ran from 9am until 3pm and hosted more than 100 students checking out the prospects for their future from local business and industry.
