Deanna Spriggs enrolled in her high school’s welding program out of boredom.
As sophomores, National Honors Society students struggled to find challenging classes that would hold their attention. She said her career guidance counselor at Garrett High School offered her a solution: a career development program.
After picking up a torch and welding for the first time, Spriggs’ interest in welding was solidified, she said, adding that she remained in the program through her senior year. She started working at Triton Metal Products in Hamilton just days after graduating in May.
“As soon as they saw Triton, they were interested in me,” she said.
Ms. Spriggs is one of several Northeast Indiana high school graduates who recently attended a career and technical education class. Programs span a variety of fields, including agriculture, construction and health sciences, and are in high demand with the introduction of Indiana’s graduation pathway. Students can meet post-secondary competency requirements with CTE concentrators, practicums, or industry certifications.
Citing the results of a recent strategic planning process, the Northwest Allen County Schools Authority this summer proposed construction of a $29.2 million career and technical education facility, part of a $180 million long-term needs proposal. Community members told the 8,400-student district they wanted a more personalized learning experience.
lane change
For Bishop Dwenger High School graduate Mike Arburns, getting a job right out of high school wasn’t always the plan. The Class of 2024 is expected to follow a traditional academic path to college, and that option has been enhanced since middle school, he said.
As Arburns entered high school, she began to realize that college might not be for her. He struggled with his study skills, had unimpressive grades, and couldn’t sit still. Its properties did not seem suitable for a university lecture hall, he said.
Arburns, a sophomore, attended an information session about Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Career Academy. He applied and was accepted into his first choice automotive program, he said.
Arburns learned the basics during his junior year and spent his senior year interning at the Tom Kelly Volvo dealership. There, he continues to work as a service technician apprentice without the resistance of his college-educated parents.
Urbans said the best part about the industry is that there is demand for the services he can provide.
“There’s hardly a day that goes by that my car doesn’t need repairs,” he said. “There’s a lot of job security.”
2 years later
Makayla Sturm recently completed two years working as a computer numerical control (CNC) operator at Ottenweller Co. Inc.
This means she operates a machine that, for example, cuts blocks of metal into programmed pieces to produce usable parts.
“I think this is pretty crazy,” said Sturm, who graduated from Leo Junior and Senior High School in 2022. It will be installed in the larger machines that we send out. ”
Sturm learned about the profession through the East Allen Career Center. She wanted to study welding, but was denied entry because the class was full. Instead, she was offered precision machining.
“It was much better than I expected,” Sturm said.
She credited instructor Phil Springer with helping her find full-time work. Sturm said he felt well prepared when he started.
“If it wasn’t for the help of the Career Center and especially Mr. Springer, I would be far behind where I am now,” Sturm said.
“I come with pride.”
Blake Sheets appreciated the sense of purpose associated with Garrett’s welding and fabrication classes.
“They make you feel like you’re actually doing something. You’re doing something for a purpose, not for a grade,” the Class of 2024 said.
Sheets also liked being able to incorporate work-based learning into her school schedule. He joined Kammerer Fabrication in March, getting paid three days a week and attending classes the other two days. During spring break, he worked all five days. As a student, he earned $16 an hour, more than twice Indiana’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
“I got paid for my first 40 hours that week,” Sheets said. “It’s a point of pride because a lot of kids my age don’t get to have that kind of experience or earn that much money while they’re in school.”
The Kendallville company gave Mr. Sheets a full-time schedule upon graduation. The 18-year-old said he contributes to his family’s expenses by paying insurance on six cars.
“I wanted to either work in construction or be a heavy equipment operator,” Sheets said. “When I fell in love with welding, I decided this was what I wanted to do.”
Spriggs, who previously considered becoming a tattoo artist, said her joy in welding comes from her artistic mindset.
“The funny thing is, being artistic makes you a better welder,” she said.
The experience of inspecting canvas for areas that need fixing or strengthening carries over to the field, where defects in welds must be identified and addressed, Spriggs said.
She said the 10-hour shift was physically demanding. She is constantly on her feet, lifting heavy materials and adjusting her body position as needed to complete the job.
“It’s quite a workout,” she said.
long term benefits
Nick Craghead is one of many vocational and technical education students who have completed a higher education course including university.
He encourages students to consider technical education programs, even if they plan to attend college. Craghead, who graduated from Northrop High School in 2017, experienced an unexpected opportunity when he attended the FWCS Career Academy.
Craghead learned how to pour concrete and built infrastructure such as driveways, sidewalks and curbs. As a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, he used those skills to get a job in the construction industry. The people I met in high school served me well after I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies.
“Connections with peers who are also connected to employers go a long way,” he said, adding that construction teachers were called in as references. “We probably won’t know what the impact of our educational choices will be until five to 10 years from now.”
Craghead is a talent acquisition manager at Weigand Construction, joining the company after a brief stint as a corporate recruiter. His role is similar to his first job out of college, but it wasn’t the right fit for him.
“But it’s in a completely different realm because it’s about something I’m passionate about and something I know because of Career Academy,” Craghead said. He originally wanted to work in Weigand as a mason or concrete finisher. “You’re working directly for your employer, not a big agency. That’s the difference.”
