The future of technical education

The future of technical education

Rosé Gibson, Reporter

The Career Technology Education class recently received a CTE Cal Grant for about $120,000 of new equipment and software for the Multimedia Production and 3D Design classes.

“We got a lot of new equipment this year. We added 10 new 3D printers for a total of $15,000. We also added a large laser cutter, a screen printing press, a formech machine, a 3D scanner, 30 new computers and a popcorn machine,” said Multimedia Production teacher Scott Wittkop.

The new equipment allows students to learn and operate machines that are actually used in manufacturing, engineering and textile industries.

“The new equipment has made the class better by allowing us to create almost anything we want to without the hindrance of a bad program or printer,” said junior Dylan Miller.

The equipment allows students to participate in large projects. In the 3D design class, students even got to build their own 3D printer.

“Our biggest project is OC Makers Challenge. Students have to design and create a new product and submit it to a panel of experts in the field,” said Wittkop.

Access to the right equipment allows students to have real life experiences and help out on campus in areas like creating posters, designing programs and printing shirts for athletic programs for the high school and the other schools in the district.

“The biggest effect will be that the students get to work on them daily; they are getting real world experiences,” said Wittkop.

An investment in human capital is the best investment that can be made. A price cannot be put on giving students the skills they need to succeed and contribute to society. The production industry needs a workforce trained in evolving technologies.

“Taking Multimedia Production and Design gave me the skills needed to be hired and succeed as a screen printer for over a year,” said senior Clarence Cooper. “I was a junior in high school working part-time in a professional industry, all because I had these programs on my resume.”

In being introduced to this career field at such a young age, students will enter the workforce with an incredibly unique and marketable skill. The Cal Grant is not an investment in a few fancy machines; it is an invaluable investment in these students’ futures.

rose-wittkop-photo-1