What’s a Switch Labs Certificate of Completion Worth?

The Switch Labs EV program is steadily being signed up by schools nationwide. Young adults are learning first-hand about this emerging new technology through our approved curriculum.

But what is the value of a Switch Labs certificate of Completion to these students? What can their certificate help them achieve in the end? Here are the three most significant benefits that our education can provide your students:

Understanding of EV tech – As an emerging tech field, it doesn’t hurt to enter a University, college, trade school, or apprenticeship to have some experience in the EV field already. Depending on which way your students want to go, they will gain an understanding of EV science that puts them ahead of most candidates they will be up against in placement competitions. 

Development of STEM educational ideas – Our assembly course does considerably better than building an electric vehicle. It ticks all the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics boxes. What’s more, making a Switch Vehicle is a great way to see these individual disciplines working together in adult life.

Maturity of project dynamics – The students working on a Switch Labs project get a first-hand look at a cool, exciting project and the group dynamics involved. As some students step forward and some step back, it is helpful for future college students to see the social structure of a team at work and to be able to identify how communication breakdowns can damage or delay a group project. Even when everyone moves together in the same direction, errors can happen. The Switch Labs project helps young adults identify these obstacles and work to overcome them as a group!

The rewards that come from an education in EV are entirely dependent on what each student wants for themselves. Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

EVs and Grants

Casa Grande High School

As teachers return back to school, they are already beginning to plan the 2022-2023 school year. We have many educators and administrators who work diligently to bring our Switch Lab curriculum to their school. 

This tells us that very few educators and administrators know just how much COVID-19 stimulus money still remains in education coffers, according to TheLearningCounsel.com. For those interested in running a curriculum based on building an electric vehicle, there are still billions of dollars in funding available to projects that enlighten and educate kids on the technology of electric cars. 

Going into 2022, there was $157 billion set aside for STEM education that advances technology. If you’re an educator or an administrator looking for a technology-based curriculum that meets the standards for this funding, Switch Vehicles has just the program for you, and we can point you in the right direction to get funding for it, too! 

And what could be better than a program that allows kids to not only build an electric vehicle but allows the school to keep the vehicle or sell it to an interested buyer?

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

Will an EV be YOUR New Years’ Resolution?

EVs are finally turning a corner in the minds of U.S. car buyers. Gone is the stigma and the trepidation, to some degree. There’s excitement around the Tesla brand that has allowed our brand to rise and grow, and in the process, bring young engineering students into the process of building Electric Vehicles.

There are so many reasons to pull the trigger on combustion vehicles right now. It’s about environmentalism and getting a grip of our own market. No longer having our economy beholden to O.P.E.C. will be a massive factor in a positive U.S. future.

As of right now, there are a whopping 19 electric vehicles on the U.S. market, and only two of those are Teslas. That leaves so many options, including U.S. options, for those trying to avoid buying imported cars. And there are many different kinds of EVs for the market, too– not just the family sedan. There are SUVs, sports cars, hatchbacks, even a MINI.

The Volkswagen ID.4 has already sold out its first production run— which says a lot about the kind of machine Volkswagen is offering and how willing EV converts are to take advantage of it. I know someone who is absolutely beside himself with excitement over the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which says a lot for an American-made EV. The power that Ford has managed to put into an EV is impressive and should do a lot to shoo off the naysayers.

With the market beginning to open up, this is an excellent time to resolve to stop buying gas combustion vehicles (or even hybrids) and open up to the new line of readily-available EVs on the market. And if your needs are for a short-range runabout that can get you here and there, there’s also the Switch– certainly the cheapest of all the listed options! 

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

How Much Do Muscle Cars & Teslas Have In Common?

Photo by capitalstreet_fx06 on Pixabay

Muscle cars are a big part of the American love for cars. “Popping the hood” to see powerful engines underneath is not only fun in some quarters, but it’s also absolutely titillating. 

And why not? Internal combustion is a series of perfectly-timed explosions in an engine. The image of fuel-burning, internal combustion engines dragging down a strip is unlikely to go away any time soon, despite our constant edging towards the collapse of the ozone layer from a century of poor emissions control.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are electric cars. Considered by many to be tethered to their electric chargers, electric vehicles are still working to gain momentum in the car enthusiast community. One brand has been working very hard to change this stigma: Tesla.

Teslas, although reasonably priced, are still seen as muscle cars to many car lovers. They might not appear to have much in common with a Dodge Charger at first glance, but consider these elements:

The Cool Factor. Teslas are state of the art — even when you ignore their electric status. You’d be hard-pressed to name another car brand that has as many bells and whistles, from the key to the car (a little Hot Wheels-sized model of the car itself) to the touchscreen operations. 

The Power. Teslas have a surprising amount of pickup for a non-internal combustion vehicle. To have a car available that eradicates the stigma of “golf cart'” thinking is excellent for all kinds of electric vehicles. It’s doubtful that EVs could race a muscle car effectively and win, but they’d be in the running — which is all the power most drivers need.

The Beauty. Although some people mock the Cybertruck, few would pass up a chance to drive one. Tesla builds exquisite cars with lots of wow to them, with a high dosage of sleek lines and luxury in the mix.

These three elements make Teslas on par with muscle cars, but then, there’s The Environmental Responsibility. Sure, some will argue that the construction of each Tesla leaves a significant carbon footprint, but driving one for years erases that footprint. And it gets drivers off of dependency on foreign oil — something we should have done way back in 2008 when Detroit collapsed. GM brands continued refining internal combustion and gave Tesla a jump-start on the market they might have cornered when they had the chance.

At Switch Labs, we see the elevation of the Tesla brand as a vital thing. The more we can get drivers interested in EVs, the more the next generation will begin to show an interest in learning to build and repair these vehicles.

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

Electric Vehicles: A Prediction For The Next 10 Years

The world is just beginning to feel the effects of Global warming. While many are still in denial, the science is irrefutable. The radical weather shifts we are experiencing and melting polar ice shelves are a definite harbinger that we’re in for some rough times ahead if we carry on as we have for the last century. Today, we’re speculating on that future– specifically, how Electric vehicles and hybrids will affect the market by the year 2031.

One factor in waking people to the global warming crisis is the Billionaire Space Race currently playing out between Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Elon Musk of Tesla, and Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines. Seeing the mega-wealthy spend their fortunes trying to escape the planet and colonize other worlds has even the most self-deluded deniers thinking twice.

Once most people recognize global warming is real, we can no longer ignore the environment for the convenience of mass capitalism. Internal combustion vehicles will one day fade into memory, as our society will be forced to make the ecologically sound choice of Electric Vehicles, or EVs for short.

It might surprise you to know that electric vehicles are generally more polluting to create than their combustion-based counterparts. However, EVs make up for it in their ability to use renewable energy to power themselves from then on. With Volvo switching to EV only in 2021, there is a feeling that the market is beginning to build to a wave of EV buying.

In some cities around the world, change is being demanded before the industry is even ready. One California city has banned the establishment of new gasoline stations in favor of electric ones. Environmentally conscious California cities are also beginning to demand gas vehicle sales stop in the next decade. Norway has already set its date and will ban new sales of gas vehicles in 2025 across the entire nation.

We’re moving to electric as the next big platform. How Hydrogen cars will affect that remains to be seen. Still, safety issues (which remain to be seen, but the ‘Hydrogen bomb’ headline almost writes itself), not to mention a higher cost, will ultimately make it a harder sell than the current crop of EVs.

The resistance to EVs from the current U.S. market seems to factor in the newness of the technology and the lack of seeing string representation for electric charging stations yet. It’s the way no one wanted to buy a Betamax when it became clear that VHS would be the way that most video stores rent and sell videos. For EVs, range anxiety is a factor, with 83% of people resisting the move to electric cars saying it’s about their fear of charging their vehicle regularly. 

But the proven acceptance of EVs is winning, and in the next five years, we’re predicting that fuel stations will begin to change. It’s a bit like a stalemate. No one wants to make the first move before the market changes. But once the market is better than half EVs, expect your local gas stations to knuckle under quickly, lest they lose relevance.

When the market wave finally crests, every fuel chain will want to be riding it– with visions of dust bowl deserted gas stations in their head replaced with shiny new EV stations that didn’t wait too long.

Expect that by 2032, your corner gas station will still be going strong but shifting to make room for electric supercharging options. The price of gasoline will drop to near-COVID-19 levels, making the national average about $2/gallon. And when you see a new car on your street, it won’t be an internal combustion vehicle — it will be an EV.

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

Three Ways The Switch Lab Inspires Leadership

Electric Vehicles are the future of automotive technical training

Switch Vehicles allows hands-on training with cutting-edge technology. Many STEM programs seek out our Electric Vehicle assembly kits throughout the United States. We see a surge of interest in EVs from many middle schools, high schools, vocational schools, Career Technical Educational facilities, and Engineering schools. Students are clamoring for the education a Switch Vehicles curriculum can provide.

But some people have yet to realize the benefits students get besides hands-on skill-building. Students learn other things when assembling a Switch Vehicle, and the most important takeaway is learning how to lead.

Leadership is a soft skill that students need to learn, and there are three ways The Switch Lab inspires leadership:

  1. Group Project Thinking. Teachers can say a lot of positive things for students who learn problem-solving skills in a team environment. If you put a group of students together, sometimes they are at a bit of a loss as to who should lead and follow. But when you put them on a task that they find engaging, leaders within that team will emerge.
  2. Break Down Barriers. Learning how to assemble electric vehicles helps students from all socio-economic levels gain knowledge to leverage their career options. Exposing students to cutting-edge technology helps them find gainful employment; they have a better chance to operate on a level playing field, career-wise.
  3. Learn How To Prioritize. When assembling an electric vehicle, students learn the step-by-step process of what to do and when to do it. Prioritization is a critical skill for anyone who needs to meet deadlines and get products to market in a timely fashion. Systems and processes are integral to the Switch Vehicles curriculum, and that experience benefits students as they move into the workforce.

To hear what educators have to say about building Switch Vehicles, check out this workshop we did in New Hampshire: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4317906128294711&id=173630329388999&paipv=1&_rdr 

Next month, we are excited to do a Switch Vehicles buildout at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, November 2 – 6, 2021. We will be staffing two booths at the show and staging demonstrations, Booths #1 and #2. Contact us today if you would like a front-row view of our Switch Vehicles at this major automotive industry event. We’d love to connect with you and share the excitement behind The Switch Lab.Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

How The Global Pandemic Accelerated STEM Enrollment

As we prepare to launch a new series of Switch Lab Seminars Workshops, current events remind us that these are exciting times and that we’re uniquely situated to build STEM enrollment in U.S. schools. And we’ve recently become aware that we have the pandemic to thank for it.

A recent GoodNewsNetwork article noted a sudden resurgence towards education in the current generation of school kids. OnePoll survey conducted in the U.K. of children ages 11-17 shows that kids are increasingly interested in careers in STEM-path fields, such as science, medicine, and technology. The article makes the case that this is due to kids having their lives and education disrupted so prominently by COVID-19.

Many leading science and health figures have become popularly known there, just as Dr. Anthony Fauci has become well-known Stateside, perhaps more popular among many students than Tik-Tok, Instagram, and music stars of the day. Students are engaging more with the news and finding out the facts for themselves instead of allowing parents or friends to offer up partisan news deliveries. They are questioning, challenging, and learning.

What interests Switch Labs about this article is that although we’re not a field that helps students fight a pandemic, we are a science-based field dealing with emergent technology. We find quotes like this one to be enheartening: “The poll also found 68 percent of respondents think science is a cool subject—and 41 percent are now more interested in learning more about it.”

It’s a great time to be in a field that deals with new technology that thinks about the future of our society with relevant science in mind. We’ve spent the last decade opening young and old hearts and minds to hopeful possibilities. And, as you can see from these videos, we’re just getting started.

Our reusable EV Kit is an ideal project for any student interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. It teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

Career Technical Education In The U.S.

Introduction

Career technical education (CTE) refers to the practice of teaching skill-based careers to students at various levels of schooling (Rabren et al., 2014). CTE can also be defined as a multi-year sequence of training in particular courses, integrating technical, academic, and occupational knowledge to equip learners with specific hands-on skills to handle specific jobs. The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) defines CTE as programs (at high school/ secondary level) that focus on knowledge and skills necessary for specific fields of work or jobs (Snyder and Dillow, 2013). It primarily applies to students enrolled in the middle, high school, and tertiary institutions. CTE differs from the traditional university education that majorly focuses on theory rather than practical skills. Although it includes some theory, the latter is found in the introductory learning sessions meant to usher in the intended technical skills. As such, the CTE instructors do not dwell much on textbook content but pay attention to practice and improvement of skills needed in the job market. 

After completing CTE courses, students are awarded various certifications acknowledging them on the skills they have acquired. However, this does not limit the learners to any career path based on the skills they have been equipped with. Instead, students can opt to pursue courses of their choice in community colleges or universities (Rabren et al., 2014). 

This article looks at major issues to do with technical career education, ranging from the reason behind its introduction to an analysis of how institutions offering CTE operate. Further, the essay discusses 16 distinct clusters of CTE and the advantages and disadvantages of CTE. 

Reason for the emergence of CTE 

CTE was a collective brainchild of leaders and scholars concerned with the rate at which the national workforce had begun losing its global competitiveness. They identified the urge to improve the nature of education to equip learners with the relevant skills that fit the market demand of the workforce in the 21st century. One of the bodies that precipitated the need for CTE was Sonoma County’s Innovation Council in 2009, which produced an economic development report, indicating the need for prioritizing educational achievement and career training (Snyder and Dillow, 2013). Employers also let out their dissatisfaction over the gap between the graduates’ skills and the requirements for particular industries. In a bid to address these issues, various jurisdictions within the US came up with policies to establish CTE programs preceding them by adequate funding to make the venture achievable. 

CTE institutions

Career technical education is offered in technical institutions offering courses either across all the 16 clusters/tracks or a section of them. These institutions are equipped with modern equipment that helps learners to relate classroom teaching with real-world occurrences. An example of a CTE institution is Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, which offers various courses ranging from automobile programs to health science, among many others. The campus provides learning opportunities to high school students in three major categories; those who want to go to college, those looking for skills to help them join the workforce after high school, and those who may not be sure of what they want to do after high school. Cherry Creek primarily enrolls students from within its locality who are pursuing diplomas in their respective high schools. Green River College is another college that offers career technical education to high school students in fields such as engineering, aviation, computer science, communication, etc. The college stands out due to its up-to-date programs facilitated by the program advisory committees. Each career and technical education program at the college has its advisory committee, consisting of the college’s employees and employers from industries related to the program. The committee proposes changes to the programs offered in line with the dynamism in the real business world. 

Unlike Cherry Creek and Green River, which are standalone institutions, high schools in most states have CTE incorporated into their programs. And since one high school may not be capable of offering all the 16 clusters, students may enroll in nearby high schools to pursue the course of their wish. It is important to note that regulations governing CTE institutions in the US vary from one state to another. 

 

The 16 Clusters of Career Technical Education

1. Agriculture, food, and natural resources

Students prepare to work in the fields such as plant science, animal science, food processing, and production and environmental science, among others. The agriculture cluster helps students understand the sustainability of human life across the world. Learners also tend to learn about safe foods for human consumption and steps that they can take to make the unsafe food safe. People in this field can also work closely with the public and the government to recommend the best farming and food production practices. Students can work indoors as soil testers and other laboratory jobs or outdoors as inspectors, farmers, researchers, administrators, etc. 

2. Business management and administration 

Business courses are some of the most dominant programs in CTE. This is because they have skills that make students versatile, in that they can work in almost every industry. Indeed, investment in any industry requires management which is a skill taught in this cluster. Business programs teach students key universal skills such as organizing, planning, evaluating functions, and directing the entire team in the industry to achieve its target objectives. Students also acquire knowledge and skills to help them start and run a business of their own. Common career paths in business courses include human resources, information management, administrative support, and operations management. 

3. Education and training

Prepares students to work in academic institutions. The emphasis of this cluster is to help students think and work in a manner intended to improve the public education system. However, education programs do not make one qualified to become a teacher; they act as the stepping stone for pursuing teaching after that. Graduates of education and training clusters can secure opportunities in corporations that invest in education and other related services. They may also become suppliers of education materials since they are conversant with the dynamics in the education sector. The standard career paths include support services, training/teaching, and administrative support. 


4. Government and public administration

This track deals with working and executing government functions at various levels of governance. Students may be taught how the local, state, and federal governments work and the functions of the respective office in those levels of government. Topics may include tax education, budgetary, and the justice system. Students who aspire to work in government at any time become aware of its activities and choose wisely where they would like to be attached. Students with a passion for politics also benefit immensely from skills in this cluster. Common career paths include revenue and taxation, national security, planning, governance, regulation, Foreign Service, and public management and administration.  


5. Hospitality and tourism

This program equips students with skills in hospitality management and business opportunities for investors available in the industry. The hospitality sector also has numerous ethical issues and principles, which students must be aware of before joining the field. Tourism helps students develop an interest in tours and travel and the issues concerning tourists who are the key stakeholders in the tourism sector. Learners gain experience managing entities such as motels, hotels, inns, and tourist attractions. Career paths include travel and tourism, attractions and amusements sites management, the lodging sector, and restaurant/café services. 

6. Information technology

Students learn about the development, design, implementation, support, repair, and management of information systems. They study everything related to information technology and how they can use it to help their companies become competitive tech-wise. Skills from this course also make one versatile, for they can work in any organization that intends to incorporate technology use in its activities. CTE graduates can assume IT roles in organizations, who with on-the-job learning can rise quickly through ranks to take senior positions such as Chief Information Officer. 

7. Logistics, distribution, and transportation

This pathway deals with the tracking and moving of inventory from one place to another. Students learn how to plan, organize, manage and transport people or even goods from one place to another, using means such as water, rail, air, road, and pipeline. Logistics may also include managing all activities involved in the infrastructure sectors. Skills in logistics are helpful in every organization, just like management skills. For instance, every organization engages in the procurement of items at one time or another. Such procured items call for logistical skills to ensure that they are delivered safely, correctly, and on time. Common career paths include:

  • Mobile equipment and facility maintenance.
  • Management services.
  • Logistics services.
  • Transport operations.
  • Warehouse and distribution centers.
  • Transportation planning and management. 

8. Sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

This cluster makes students suitable to work as engineers and technologists. It involves an array of creative occupations such as vehicle design which call for rigorous training. There is a very high demand for CTE STEM graduates, earning huge salaries due to the low competition. When CTE graduates in this cluster pursue degrees alongside their technical skills, they qualify for computer application and machinery opportunities. Common career paths are science and mathematics and engineering and technology.

9. Marketing, sales, and services

Students in this cluster learn about things to do with customer acquisition and retention. The track helps students gain skills in customer service, sales, and marketing. They are trained to strive with the available resources and knowledge to bring about a positive and desirable customer experience. Sales and marketers are key to any industry that counts customers in its work plan. They are employable in almost every field, including manufacturing, processing, agriculture, etc. 

10. Manufacturing

This curriculum involves all the processes, procedures, and materials concerned with the mass production of items. The learners get the skills needed to produce a particular intermediate/final product, paying attention to both the products and production methods rather than the final product. Manufacturers operate under strict regulations to ensure that they do not produce substandard products that may harm their users. Career paths in manufacturing include quality assurance, production, maintenance installation, and repair, etc. 

11. Law, public safety, and security

Training in this program deals with legal-based occupations and emergency services. Students who want to venture into criminal justice and law enforcement in the future can benefit immensely from this cluster, as all matters surrounding the law are taught here. Common career paths include correction and legal services, protective services, and security management. 

12. Human services 

This pathway includes areas such as drug rehabilitation, social work, and social services. Human services are similar to health services in that they deal with the wellbeing of humans. However, they differ in that human services seeks to have people benefit emotionally, and the people involved must be passionate about people. Career paths include counseling services, personal care services, family and community services, etc. 

13. Health Science

It is among the most popular clusters in CTE. It deals with managing, planning, and offering therapeutic services to people. Students are taught about health care and the need for human wellness, and they get prepared for future jobs as patient care technicians or nurses. Career paths include health informatics, support services, biotechnology research, and therapeutic services. 

14. Finance

Students in this cluster understand revenue, profit margins, cash, and expenditure matters. Skills gained here are ideal for students wishing to pursue further education in accounting. Learners tend to know how to handle bookkeeping on a large scale and basics in accounting. Career paths include insurance, banking services, accounting, securities investment, and business finance. 

15. Construction and architecture

It helps students learn about issues to do operations, preconstruction, and construction. They also learn the principles of drafting and designing structures. Learners here do not qualify to become architects or constructors but can work with them in the field or the offices. Common career paths include maintenance/ operation, construction, and designing. 

16. Arts, audio/visual technology, and communications 

This cluster prepares students to work with communication and production companies. These skills relate to film production, journalism, broadcasting, visual arts, performing arts, lighting technology, telecommunications, etc. Career paths in this cluster include printing technology, visual arts, performing arts, technology, and film.  

Advantages of CTE

Higher rate of high school graduation

It is estimated that more than 94% of CTE students graduate from high school (Bishop and Mane, 2004). This is as opposed to the percentage of other students who do not enroll for CTE. The high graduation rate is linked to students’ choice to engage in a different career path rather than dwelling on conventional in-class learning. The CTE programs offer them a unique experience earned from engaging in divergent learning. This ensures that students are not bored or do not fall into temptations of dropping out of school, which is a common phenomenon with the traditional education system (Gean, 2010). The CTE, which also offers students learning freedom, makes them make the right choices, such as joining the workforce and enrolling for post-secondary education in their areas of specialization. 

CTE students achieve improved grades

Unlike in the regular education system, where students are tested and rated in standard subjects, CTE ensures that students are tested and placed in what they like most. This has brought about a perspective change where students categorized as weak perform exemplarily well in their CTE courses (Bishop and Mane, 2004). Good grades inspire students to further invest in their courses and induce confidence lost when school authorities deem them foolish, based on an in-class grading system. 

High career demand 

According to most job market analysts, it was estimated that there would be more than 50 million job opportunities that CTE students can fill. Of the 50 million, more than 15 million never existed, for they were created to address the rising demand in the workforce. This means that CTE graduates have job opportunities at their disposal, which are easier to secure than their fellow high school graduates without CTE experience (Gean, 2010). CTE graduates also earn skills that can enable them to employ themselves, such as health care entrepreneurship and welding technology, among others (Bishop and Mane, 2004). CTE graduates can employ themselves far, much easier since they do not need a huge capital to start a small enterprise. 

CTE students have a satisfying schooling life 

It is estimated that almost 90% of both current CTE students and CTE graduates are satisfied with their lives. This minimizes the risk of mental illnesses common among high school learners (Gean, 2010). High school students are always at a greater risk of mental sickness due to the stress associated with a rigid curriculum and a result-only-oriented education system. On the other hand, students enrolled for CTE undergo a better learning experience characterized by engaging learning where students get an opportunity to participate in various activities. Therefore, these students are mostly satisfied with what they do and what they become in the future. 

Induces a sense of life direction into students

In some cases, high school students are not sure of what they want to become after graduating. In addition, those who have an idea of what they want to become in the future realize that they cannot achieve their dreams and have to rethink their future. Such students cultivate a clear path for their future when they enroll in CTE courses since it helps them identify what they want (Gean, 2010). Such choices include whether they choose to join college/university or otherwise venture into the workforce. 

Disadvantages of CTE

A very demanding schedule

CTE programs are designed to help one become ready to be absorbed into the workforce as quickly as possible (Bishop and Mane, 2004). CTE institutions are forced to have tight schedules and rigorous training to complete their programs in time. For those students pursuing both CTE and high school diplomas concurrently, the program schedule is tighter and most engaging for them. These tight schedules may culminate in the absence of breaks between semesters, making it possible for students to not invest adequate time in one of the programs (Ruhland, 2001). 

Minimal adaptability

CTE equips students with skills and expertise for one specific job. As a result, students are not typically conversant with various disciplines to help them explore other avenues alongside their main career path. As a result, whenever an industry experiences some changes, these people are unlikely to adapt easily to such changes (Ruhland, 2001). Studying many subjects may help one handle problems within their work, which does not necessarily call for knowledge related to that field. For example, a technical fault in a manufacturing industry may need computer literacy skills to solve. 

Saturated market

Although there has not yet been an excessive number of CTE graduates, it is predicted that the technical skills field will be saturated in the coming few years (Ruhland, 2001). This is based on the current millions of students who enroll and graduate with CTE skills every year, where not all secure a job opportunity immediately. 

Lack of a definite curriculum

However beneficial career technical education might have been, enough attention has not yet been given to it as conventional in-class teaching and learning. The relevant authorities are yet to make policies that streamline CTE to accommodate any emerging issue. One such policy is developing a competent and comprehensive curriculum addressing issues such as instructor training to give them additional support. Constant training and subsequent professional development of instructors are not satisfactorily catered for by the current CTE curriculum, which affects their productivity over time.

References

Bishop, J. H., & Mane, F. (2004). The impacts of career-technical education on high school labor market success. Economics of Education Review, 23(4), 381-402.

 

Gean, L. M. S. (2010). High school students’ perception of career technical education and factors that influence enrollment in programs at a regional occupational center. Pepperdine University.

 

Ruhland, S. (2001). Factors Influencing the Turnover and Retention of Minnesota’s Secondary Career and Technical Education Teachers.

 

Rabren, K., Carpenter, J., Dunn, C., & Carney, J. S. (2014). Actions against poverty: The impact of career technical education. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 37(1), 29-39.

 

Snyder, T. D., & Dillow, S. A. (2013). Digest of Education Statistics, 2012. NCES 2014-015. National Center for Education Statistics.

Gender Equity & The Switch Lab: Why Parents Love Our Program

An invitation

Our world is growing up and opening its eyes to kids who have previously been overlooked for tutelage in renewable energy technology. The shortsighted emphasis in education on just young, able-bodied men is giving way. We’re moving to a more diverse, open future for all of us. Gone are the days when STEM/STEAM programs only included young men. Girls and boys have equal opportunities to show their love for science, technology, engineering, math, art, and design. And Switch Labs specifically wants to invite young women!

The Switch Lab is a fun, safe, exciting program that welcomes young men and women equally. Our program offers support and development of young minds to the possibilities of new technology. Since we began the program, we’ve noticed that parents love us. They know their kids get an exceptional education and develop people skills and team-building skills. In particular, girls and young women are signing up more and more.

Renewable-energy automotive is a cutting-edge industry. In the near future, it will become a significant career market. Early participation and understanding will help both genders improve their chances of success in this emerging industry. What’s more, it doesn’t require a specific type of person to take a hand in education and building– male, female, non-disabled, differently-abled. Any student with curiosity and interest in solar-powered car technology can learn and participate in this program. This moment in time is a remarkable chance to foster children in vehicle design that includes everyone and excludes no one.

Our reusable EV Kit is an ideal project for any student interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. It teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

What Makes A Great STEM Program?

For our June blog, we want to introduce you to one of the trainers who are in the process of enrolling his school in our Switch Vehicles program. But before we introduce you to Glenn Dethy, we want to let you know about our upcoming workshop in June:

Switch Vehicles Train-The-Trainer Workshops Now Available

There is a train-the-trainer workshop taking place in Rockford, Illinois, June 21-25, 2021. If you or someone you know who teaches vocational, STEM, or automotive classes and is happy to travel to Illinois, please share the registration link with them. Space is limited, so act fast! https://theswitchlab.com/workshops/ 

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