KINGSFORD -- The vocational education school in Kingsford is giving students a much more hands-on approach to earning a living. TV6's Iron Mountain-Kingsford bureau reporter Adam Chick traveled to the Dickinson-Iron Tech Center to see what they have to offer.
Over 450 students partake in the Dickinson-Iron vocational program from six Michigan schools and two Wisconsin districts. It's a great way to get started in a specialized field like auto technology, because the program provides college credits to students who qualify.
“Every class here is an elective,” says Paul Bonsall, “so students come here because they choose to.”
There isn't exactly a "most popular" program either.
“Actually, it cycles kind of back and forth, depending on what's hot in the employment fields,” Bonsall says.
One program that is growing in popularity is robotics technology. Jake Shimanek has been studying robotics for three years and regularly partakes in competitions with other schools.
“I just love building things, I love designing and programming, I love making things do stuff,” says Shimanek.
Some students, such as the welders, can find good jobs that pay up to $13 an hour with benefits right out of high school.
“Depending on what field they're in, for instance, welding...a lot of our students can get jobs right out of high school in a welding field,” Bonsall says. “We have several employers in the area, including Boss Snowplow, that hire a lot of our students.”
With nine programs, including marketing, graphic communications, and health occupations, these students are getting a head start on life after graduation. Any student is allowed to take vocational courses as long as they can fit them into their normal school schedule.
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