CTC, school district partner to prepare students for jobs

March 21, 2012

Marmian Grimes

The Community and Technical College and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District have teamed up on a new project that aims to help students make seamless transitions from high school to post-secondary education and careers.

The Partnerships to Pathways project is funded by a $43,400 grant from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The project formalizes the relationship between the two educational institutions by creating training programs for district educators, ensuring that the district and CTC have representatives on each other's advisory groups and committing to aligning programs and curricula.

For high school students, the collaboration means their guidance counselors will have a more thorough understanding of the programs offered at CTC. In addition, students may have opportunities to participate in apprenticeships and advanced training while still in high school.

"Providing a defined articulation of rigorous, relevant coursework as well as strengthening the communication and support between our educational structures will ensure all students are fully prepared for their postsecondary experience," said Peggy Carlson, executive director for curriculum and instruction at the school district.

And that, in turn, will benefit both CTC and ultimately, employers, according to CTC Interim Dean Michele Stalder. "Over the years, student populations in Fairbanks have benefited from the partnership between CTC and the school district. While we have always worked closely, this current grant project will further solidify and enhance plans to improve student preparedness and success, which translates to a successful and productive workforce for Alaska."