Michigan Career & Technical Institute Kelsey Masserant, Ali Coyne, and

Michigan Career & Technical Institute Kelsey Masserant, Ali Coyne, and Collin McGran

About MCTI MCTI is a part of Michigan Rehabilitation Services. MCTI has provided training for adults with disabilities in Michigan since 1944. Helps students explore career options Campus on the shores of Pine Lake in southwestern Barry County. 72 acres of scenic countryside For eligible adults who have a physical or mental disability, tuition and room and board in the dormitory are free.

About MCTI All classrooms, dormitory rooms, cafeteria, library and leisure services are located in one building for easy accessibility out of the weather. Two and three-bedroom housing complex and daycare center are available near campus for students with families. Students must be 18 years of age or older. MCTI operates on four 10-week terms per year beginning in late August/early September and running through the second week in July.

Interview We interviewed Karen Pohja, Director of Instruction at MCTI via phone conversation. Karen was able to give a detailed account of many aspects of MCTI, but due to legal issues could not allow a recorded interview.

What is MCTI and how do I join? MCTI is one small piece of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) To join MCTI you must first be eligible for MRS To be eligible for MRS you must have a documented disability that prevents you from finding and maintaining a job on your own. Once you join MRS you are assigned a Vocational Counselor. This person helps you write your Individualized Plan of Employment. (IPE)

What’s an IPE? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v JLRjwhwJuXM

IPE vs IEP IPE: Roadmap of vocational experience May outline vocational guidance and counseling, training, referral to other agencies for services or assistive technologies Only requires the individual and a counselor IEP: Under FAPE and applies in the school setting More people are required at the meeting BOTH: Identify goals, are ongoing, become law and must be followed

What is the goal of MCTI? The specific goal of MCTI is to prepare students for entry level career employment. The requirements students are expected to meet in each program directly reflect the requirements expected in that job field. Strict attendance policies, communication skills, etc. Students receive vocational training within their program, but they also receive training in other fields necessary to receiving and maintaining a job. Job interview skills, resume building tools, practice job interviews, trade instructors help find placements, how to manage work time vs. leisure time.

In what ways do you offer additional support to your students? Communication, Communication, Communication! MCTI offers a “family of support”. With the dorms, counselors, leisure services, cafeteria, etc. all located in one building it is for staff to communicate with each other about each students progress and needs. New students may take a “Step Up” program, which is a prevocational training program that helps them develop the skills needed in successfully participate in occupational training.

What are some accommodations you offer students? The core of all the training programs are based on industry standards, so accommodations also match these standards. Accommodations include: Visual plus hearing accessible textbooks Deadlines can me extended within reason of the program Universal design is used whenever applicable

How, if ever, do your programs change? No program changes without input from the head director of MRS. MCTI is only a small part of all the services MRS has to offer, therefore MRS plays a major part in developing the programs Programs changed based on Labor Market Statistics The point of MCTI is to prepare students for an entry level career placement in a field they will be successful in. Therefore, the programs are designed based on the current job markets and industry standards.

What advice would you give us (future special educators) about your agency? If you refer your students to MCTI, make sure they are motivated and understand what it takes to participate in their chosen program. Make sure they understand they will be living in a dorm with a roommate and two suitemates whom they will share a bathroom with. Show them the importance of academics Ex: Help the future mechanics understand there is quite a bit of math involved in the Automotive Technology program

Fun Facts from Karen! MCTI is only a small portion of all the services MRS has to offer 96% program completion and placement rate One of the best aspects of MCTI is their communication with the students, between staff members, and with employers. Student to staff ratio is 10:1 average with 12:1 as the highest. This fosters personal relationships between staff and student. Students are generally from Michigan, have some sort of postsecondary completion (diploma, GED) although it is not necessary, and do not have prior vocational training.

Career Readiness Center (CRC) CRC is made up of 4 programs: Career Assessment Services Holistic, comprehensive vocational evaluation program Education Center Strengthen and improve academic performance while enrolled in trade training. (Ex. Reading and math programs) Reading Clinic literacy assessment as well as a full-time adult literacy program and specific need courses. Step-Up 5- to 10-week prevocational, skill development program All designed to improve students’ reading, math, basic computer, and employability skills so they may achieve success in one of MCTI’s training programs or obtain immediate employment.

Support Services MCTI Rehabilitation Services Each student assigned to a rehab counselor for help Health Services Nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, etc available to students by appointment Residential Services Students stay in dormitories and share suites with assigned roommates. Residential staff is on duty 24/7. Pine Lake Family Center Housing and daycare complex Accommodations and Assistive Technologies Occupational therapists help determine the student’s needs.

Support Services (Cont.) Leisure services Wide variety of activities offered: swimming, boating, fishing, biking, sports, festivals, bike trips, parties, etc. Student government includes, student council, student court, and hall senate.

Placement Services Students, instructors, counselors and the placement staff work as a team to achieve the ultimate goal of employment. The staff also works closely with employers throughout the state to promote the quantity and quality of job placements. Job Seeking Skills: a required course designed to help the student conduct a successful job search and introduces the student to the job search process and techniques to overcome employment barriers. Some services provided: Practice applications and interviews Resume and cover letter preparation Job-search videos and Internet access Statewide newspapers and business directories Leads on job openings Telephone and fax machine use

Training Programs Group activity Separate into your presentation groups and brainstorm some careers/jobs that you could study within the given program.

Training Programs 14 different programs involving various skills/abilities, and outlooks. Automotive Technology Auto parts repair specialist, electrical tech, brake tech, etc. Cabinetmaking/Millwork Woodworking machinist, specialist, carpenter, etc. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Culinary Arts Cook, food service worker, cook’s helper, utility manager Custodial Custodial support worker, custodian Customer Service Information, customer service, general office clerks, business support specialist Electronics Electronic technician, installer, etc.

Training Programs (Cont.) Graphic Communications Screen printer, press assistant Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Machine Technology Machine operator, welder, CNC operator/machinist Pharmacy (tech) Office Automation Cable installer, copier repair tech, network support tech Retail Marketing Stock clerk, cashier, sales assistant, first-line supervisor Weatherization (installer)

Poll Everywhere http://www.polleverywhere.com/my/polls#!/ my/polls

Works Cited Services, Michigan Rehabilitation. "Michigan Career & Technical Institute." Department of Human Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.