Starting in the fall, current sophomores will have the opportunity to get a head start on college. Students can earn an associate’s degree or certificate while still attending high school through the Genesee County Career Technical Education Early Middle College. Students who are accepted into the program will attend classes at Baker College and Mott Community College to complete their degree or certificate.

“CTE stands for Career and Technical Education it used to be called Vocational Education, now the new buzz word is occupational training,” CTE director Laura Lemke said. “So it’s to help you get training in an occupation while you’re still in the high school.”

The state approved programs that the CTE program includes are: Automotive Technician, Computer Programming and Digital/Multimedia.

“Classes that meet that definition would be any of the CADD mechanical, CADD architectural,” Lemke said. “Any of the classes and that would involve the Business Management and Administration, Virtual Enterprises International, Accounting and Finance.”

Taking CTE classes along with high school courses can benefit a student’s future in ways other than just earning a certificate or degree.

“CTE allows students to work immediately after graduation or they can have a part time job while they are going off to college or trade school so that they can fund their post secondary education,” Lemke said. “The percentage of students that graduate that have taken a CTE class are in the 95 percentile of higher.”

CTE courses can be an alternative to four year college offered directly from the district. Interested students can take advantage of this opportunity. For more information visit their website.