Michigan Career & Technical Institute

Kelsey Masserant, Ali Coyne, and Collin McGran

MCTI is a part of Michigan Rehabilitation Services. MCTI has provided training for adults with

disabilities in Michigan since 1944. ◦Helps students explore career options

Campus on the shores of Pine Lake in southwestern Barry County. ◦ 72 acres of scenic countryside

For eligible adults who have a physical or mental disability, tuition and room and board in the dormitory are free.

About MCTI

All classrooms, dormitory rooms, cafeteria, library and leisure services are located in one building for easy accessibility out of the weather.◦ Two and three-bedroom housing complex and daycare

center are available near campus for students with families. Students must be 18 years of age or older. MCTI operates on four 10-week terms per year

beginning in late August/early September and running through the second week in July.

About MCTI

We interviewed Karen Pohja, Director of Instruction at MCTI via phone conversation.

Karen was able to give a detailed account of many aspects of MCTI, but due to legal issues could not allow a recorded interview.

Interview

MCTI is one small piece of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)

To join MCTI you must first be eligible for MRS◦ To be eligible for MRS you must have a documented

disability that prevents you from finding and maintaining a job on your own.

Once you join MRS you are assigned a Vocational Counselor. This person helps you write your Individualized Plan of Employment. (IPE)

What is MCTI and how do I join?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLRjwhwJuXM

What’s an IPE?

IPE:◦Roadmap of vocational experience◦May outline vocational guidance and counseling,

training, referral to other agencies for services or assistive technologies

◦Only requires the individual and a counselor IEP:◦Under FAPE and applies in the school setting◦More people are required at the meeting

BOTH:◦ Identify goals, are ongoing, become law and must be

followed

IPE vs IEP

The specific goal of MCTI is to prepare students for entry level career employment.

The requirements students are expected to meet in each program directly reflect the requirements expected in that job field. ◦ Strict attendance policies, communication skills, etc.

Students receive vocational training within their program, but they also receive training in other fields necessary to receiving and maintaining a job. ◦ Job interview skills, resume building tools, practice job interviews,

trade instructors help find placements, how to manage work time vs. leisure time.

What is the goal of MCTI?

Communication, Communication, Communication! MCTI offers a “family of support”. With the dorms,

counselors, leisure services, cafeteria, etc. all located in one building it is for staff to communicate with each other about each students progress and needs.

New students may take a “Step Up” program, which is a prevocational training program that helps them develop the skills needed in successfully participate in occupational training.

In what ways do you offer additional support to your students?

The core of all the training programs are based on industry standards, so accommodations also match these standards.

Accommodations include: ◦ Visual plus hearing accessible textbooks◦Deadlines can me extended within reason of the program◦Universal design is used whenever applicable

What are some accommodations you offer students?

No program changes without input from the head director of MRS.◦MCTI is only a small part of all the services MRS has to offer,

therefore MRS plays a major part in developing the programs Programs changed based on Labor Market Statistics The point of MCTI is to prepare students for an entry

level career placement in a field they will be successful in. Therefore, the programs are designed based on the current job markets and industry standards.

How, if ever, do your programs change?

If you refer your students to MCTI, make sure they are motivated and understand what it takes to participate in their chosen program.

Make sure they understand they will be living in a dorm with a roommate and two suitemates whom they will share a bathroom with.

Show them the importance of academics◦ Ex: Help the future mechanics understand there is quite a

bit of math involved in the Automotive Technology program

What advice would you give us (future special educators) about your agency?

MCTI is only a small portion of all the services MRS has to offer

96% program completion and placement rate One of the best aspects of MCTI is their communication with

the students, between staff members, and with employers. Student to staff ratio is 10:1 average with 12:1 as the

highest. This fosters personal relationships between staff and student.

Students are generally from Michigan, have some sort of postsecondary completion (diploma, GED) although it is not necessary, and do not have prior vocational training.

Fun Facts from Karen!

CRC is made up of 4 programs:◦ Career Assessment Services

Holistic, comprehensive vocational evaluation program◦ Education Center

Strengthen and improve academic performance while enrolled in trade training. (Ex. Reading and math programs)

◦ Reading Clinic literacy assessment as well as a full-time adult literacy

program and specific need courses.◦ Step-Up

5- to 10-week prevocational, skill development program

All designed to improve students’ reading, math, basic computer, and employability skills so they may achieve success in one of MCTI’s training programs or obtain immediate employment.

Career Readiness Center (CRC)

MCTI Rehabilitation Services◦ Each student assigned to a rehab counselor for help

Health Services◦ Nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, etc available to

students by appointment Residential Services◦ Students stay in dormitories and share suites with assigned

roommates. Residential staff is on duty 24/7. Pine Lake Family Center◦ Housing and daycare complex

Accommodations and Assistive Technologies◦ Occupational therapists help determine the student’s needs.

Support Services

Leisure services◦Wide variety of activities offered: swimming, boating,

fishing, biking, sports, festivals, bike trips, parties, etc. Student government◦ includes, student council, student court, and hall senate.

Support Services (Cont.)

Students, instructors, counselors and the placement staff work as a team to achieve the ultimate goal of employment.

The staff also works closely with employers throughout the state to promote the quantity and quality of job placements.

Job Seeking Skills: a required course designed to help the student conduct a successful job search and introduces the student to the job search process and techniques to overcome employment barriers. ◦ Some services provided:

Practice applications and interviews Resume and cover letter preparation Job-search videos and Internet access Statewide newspapers and business directories Leads on job openings Telephone and fax machine use

Placement Services

Group activity Separate into your presentation groups and

brainstorm some careers/jobs that you could study within the given program.

Training Programs

14 different programs involving various skills/abilities, and outlooks. Automotive Technology

◦ Auto parts repair specialist, electrical tech, brake tech, etc. Cabinetmaking/Millwork

◦ Woodworking machinist, specialist, carpenter, etc. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Culinary Arts

◦ Cook, food service worker, cook’s helper, utility manager Custodial

◦ Custodial support worker, custodian Customer Service

◦ Information, customer service, general office clerks, business support specialist

Electronics◦ Electronic technician, installer, etc.

Training Programs

Graphic Communications◦ Screen printer, press assistant

Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Machine Technology◦Machine operator, welder, CNC operator/machinist

Pharmacy (tech) Office Automation◦ Cable installer, copier repair tech, network support tech

Retail Marketing◦ Stock clerk, cashier, sales assistant, first-line supervisor

Weatherization (installer)

Training Programs (Cont.)

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Poll Everywhere

Services, Michigan Rehabilitation. "Michigan Career & Technical Institute." Department of Human Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.

Works Cited