August 1, 2024
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Whether they want to learn a trade so they can get a head start on a career or learn skills so they don’t have to pay someone else to fix things in their own homes, area high school students can take various workforce training programs at Barton Community College at no tuition cost through a state-funded program called “Excel in CTE (SB155)”, which aims to increase interest in trade-based careers.
Plumbing, carpentry, and welding all qualify for this program, to name a few. Students can spend time on-campus or online for specific programs and learn real-world skills, which can also lead to a certificate or associate degree.
Barton Director of Early College Opportunities Karly Little said she tries to showcase these opportunities to help students realize that there are many different options and opportunities as they try to figure out what they want to do in life.
“Some students get it in their heads that ‘college’ isn’t for them, but they don’t always know about the career opportunities that can open up for them when they earn an industry credential, certificate, or associate degree in a technical program,” she said. “Funding from Excel in CTE is helping increase high school students’ access to these career technical programs and showing them what’s really possible and how quickly they can achieve it. While there may be some textbook or material costs, this is still a great deal for students.”
Great Bend senior Kaid Wagner participated in the carpentry program this past year and said he enjoyed being able to attend his classes at Barton.
“I wake up every morning, and I get here on time and am ready to contribute every day,” he said. “I find building things to be therapeutic. Whatever is going on (in life), once we start building, it takes my mind off other things. It also helps me not have to pay someone else to do carpentry work for me.”
Great Bend High School senior Braxton Love participated in plumbing class last year and is already using what he learned.
“I started to make money off of plumbing even before finishing the class because I can already do good plumbing work,” he said. “It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. My experience at Barton has been great, and it is an amazing learning environment with outstanding students and staff members. We have a huge practice workshop with great tools and materials to help perfect your trade.”
Great Bend High School senior Ethan Hammeke plans to pursue a career in agriculture and took welding to prepare him for equipment breakdowns.
“Welding is pretty important because if something breaks, you need to be able to fix it,” he said. “Fixing it yourself is always going to be cheaper than calling someone else, and you also get that satisfaction of knowing you fixed it yourself.”
For more information on what programs qualify visit highschool.bartonccc.edu and click on the “Excel in CTE” link or contact Karly Little at littlek@bartonccc.edu.