The school division’s Technical and Career Education (TCE) programs provide students with training to develop skills necessary to earn professional, industry-recognized credentials, college credit or both. TCE programs also provide opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience in the form of job shadowing and internships, and program administrators and instructors work closely with business and industry to ensure that students are being trained to meet current industry standards.

An exciting example of this collaboration is the partnership between the school division, Tidewater Community College (TCC) and STIHL to offer a new Mechatronics apprenticeship outreach program.

Beginning this fall, Engineering Technology students at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will have the opportunity to take select TCC Mechatronics courses to earn dual enrollment credit at a reduced tuition cost. The TCC Mechatronics courses are aligned with the ATC’s Engineering Technology program, and high school students earn college credit as part of their regular coursework at the ATC. These courses are also aligned to TCC’s Associate Degree Applied in Science; therefore, students will have more than one year of study complete prior to high school graduation.

During the 2015-16 school year, approximately 13 ATC Engineering Technology students will take advantage of the reduced-tuition opportunity with TCC. Additionally, eight students will be selected to participate in a structured work study program at STIHL during their scheduled class time at the ATC. Following high school graduation, students enrolled in the outreach program may continue their studies at TCC to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree for Mechatronics. Upon high school graduation, one student will be guaranteed an apprenticeship opportunity at STIHL as long as they meet the academic requirements.

Students or parents interested in learning more about the new program may contact Dr. Patrick Konopnicki, Director of Technical and Career Education, at 757-648-6180.