Career Navigator Program helping area students

ALPENA, Mich. – While students are enjoying the summer, one local group of educators is working to help kids succeed beyond the classroom.

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program throughout the area is working to enhance skills for students.

The Career Navigator Program is grant based program that’s partnered with Alpena and surrounding districts since 2018. The program was awarded over 1 million dollars for CTE programs and improvements.

The Career Navigator program is designed to help prepare students who may not see college as a good fit.

“There are programs available in our secondary schools here – in our high school to help prepare students for certifications to be able to be prepared to go out to the workforce,” said Alpena Schools Career Navigator Jaime Kurowski.

“Career Navigators” come into classrooms in Alpena, Alcona, Hillman and Atlanta Schools.

Navigators from the program said the pandemic has made them get more creative with how they reach their students.

“Some of the ways we partnered with our local industry is through career exploration opportunities, work based learning, job shadowing and also industry tours,” said Alcona Community Schools Career Navigator Helen – Ann Cordes.

“As like the education system right now, we had to do a lot of virtual tours,” said Hillman and Atlanta Schools Career Navigator Jenny Taratuta. “So, we worked with different people in the area to create some videos which they did an awesome job for us. They created some community outreach programs and gave us some insights of their actual careers.”

For more information on Career Navigators and other CTE programs you can call 989-358-5026.