(Pictured: Emily Worcester a senior at United Technology Center [UTC] in Bangor.)

The Hall of Flags was abuzz Wednesday morning as representatives from across the state came to Maine’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month Kick Off at the State House. Students, instructors, and directors from 15  of Maine’s 27 CTE centers came with everything from canapes to holographic 3D fans, proudly sharing legislators and government officials the advanced skills CTE students are learning.

When you think of vocational learning, you might picture what Hancock County Technical Center director Bill Tracy describes as “hard trades” such as welding or mechanics. However, the CTE students of today are starting down a wide array of career paths, from graphic design to criminal justice.

“We’re really trying to give kids a broad breadth of what they can do at a CTE enter,” explained Tracy,  “I don’t want them to think it’s just hard trades. Even though the hard trades are really important, there are so many different things they can do.”

Chris Davis, the assistant director of Farmington’s Foster CTE Center, was excited to share what his students are learning in Foster’s biotechnology program.

“They’re learning how to isolate a virus, DNA splicing, and genetic engineering,” he said. “Students working with biotechnology are looking at the biomedical field or forensics. It really increases their ability to work in a lab.”

Many CTE instructors and directors see their work as a building block for Maine’s economy. Matt Peterman of Sanford Regional Technical Center explained, “Maine CTEs are important because we are trying to build the Maine economy, and we’re trying to develop young employees to replace an aging workforce.”

As an extension of this effort, CTE curriculums support their local economies. For example, Oxford Hills Tech School offers a popular hospitality and tourism program, which they are expanding to include outdoor recreation to prepare students to work in the growing ski and ride industry of Oxford County.

Instructor Jeremy Bourque of Somerset Creative Tech Center hopes to see his students prosper and return to Maine. “Our county has a pretty high poverty rate, so we’re pretty proud of the work we’ve done changing these kids’ lives, helping them go to school, find a really good job, and then come back to Somerset County to help the county grow and change,” he said.

Another positive change happening at CTE schools across the country is an uptake in young women working in trades. Maine is no exception regarding this trend. In fact, every instructor and director at the kick off reported an increase in “non-traditional students.”

“We’re trying to break some stereotypes,” Peterman explained. “Traditional roles don’t exist anymore. Anyone can do the job.”

Instructors have seen this trend most notably in welding programs, which continue to be one of the most popular CTE offerings in the state. Jorja Brown, a junior at the Somerset Career and Technical Center, came to the CTE Kick Off to share her experience as a young woman in welding. “I am the best in my class,” she declared, noting that “it’s really cool to experience a very male dominated trade.”

United Technology Center (UTC) senior Emily Worcester was also present, representing young women in mechanics. Worcester is a part of UTC’s small engines program, and loving every second of it. “My experience has been absolutely amazing,” said Worcester. “It’s a chance to expand my knowledge. I could expand my knowledge into a future career, or I could take this knowledge and do my own personal thing. It’s a good choice to have.”

Having this kind of hands-on, real-world education is precisely what keeps many CTE students in school. Matthew Hamilton, the Student Services Coordinator at Bath Tech, came to CTE after working as a dean of students. As a dean, Hamilton saw many students who struggled in a traditional school setting. Hamilton shared that those same students now excel in their CTE programs. They are “coming to school early, they’re coming to school on a regular basis, and they’re jazzed up about learning.”

Students like those Hamilton described were the most excited to share their CTE experiences at the kick off. “I was going to drop out in December of my junior year,” remembers Brett Bretton, a senior in the Culinary Program at Capitol Area Technical Center. “But my guidance counselor suggested the culinary program for me, and now, instead of dropping out, I’m going to college for this.”

CTEs aren’t only keeping kids in school but giving them an early advantage for their post-graduate lives. “People think vocation or technology centers are for students that are not college bound, whereas we’re the total opposite. We catapult students so that they can go to college and go to college with a head start,” commented Michael Bouthilette of Biddeford Regional Technology.

Kaylie Trembly of Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC) chose to enter the EMT program after speaking to past graduates. “The people I talked to who went through LRTC are doing really well,” said Trembly, “it helped them determine where they wanted to go.”

CTE programs work with post-secondary institutions across the state, like Southern Maine Community College, University of Maine Farmington, and trade schools like the Aveda Institute. However, these partnerships go beyond traditional higher education, partnering directly with local employers to place students in the field. At Region 9 School of Applied Technology, CNA students split their time between Rumford Hospital and local nursing homes. Meanwhile, in Ellsworth, students can intern with Jackson Laboratories.

“We know we’re small, we’re rural, but I’m definitely passionate about this work,” said Brenda Gammon, the director and superintendent of Region 9, “I’ll do anything I can to give students the best opportunities.”

Kaylie (EMT Program) and Ava (CNA Program) from Lewiston Regional Technical Institute (LRTC).

CTE month continues through February, and it is the perfect time to dig into everything CTE has to offer. Check out a list of Maine’s CTE schools with links for you to explore.

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools throughout Maine, is celebrating CTE month this February by highlighting some of the amazing women who have found their path in life through career and technical education. We hope their stories inspire you the way they have inspired us.

As a junior in high school, Madison Jackson had no idea what she wanted to do when she graduated.

“I was worried about it because everyone else already knew,” remembers Jackson as she one day decided to check out the list of class options at her local Career and Technical Education (CTE) center, Capital Area Tech Center (CATC) in Augusta.

Initially, Jackson wanted to be a Game Warden but remembers seeing computer technology on the list of pathways at CATC and thinking, “Oh, that’s like video games, that will be fine,” she recalled. “That’s not what it turned into at all,” she added.

As a 2023 graduate from Cony High School, Madison Jackson grew up around technology, but she never dreamed it would one day be her job.

“We had the old Windows 7 and I loved playing games on that,” she said. “I remember getting a new iPad and I thought it was the most glorious thing.”

Jackson was mesmerized by people who could build computers but when she first got started, she felt like she was picking up the hardware side of things slower than her all-male classmates. Eventually, she realized her true passion was software, cybersecurity, and networking. From there, her abilities and talent have grown into an exciting career path.

For Jackson, going to school at CATC was very different from traditional high school. It felt like she finally had a choice in the classes she took every day and for that reason, she looked forward to the school day. “We had stuff to get done, but we had the freedom to get it done, in our own time,” remembers Jackson as she explained how much better the learning environment was for her at CATC.

Jackson said one of the things she is most proud of during her time at CATC was making her original CTE teacher, Michael Fraser, proud.

“I didn’t know who he was, we started a bond, and we became buddies,” said Jackson. “He was really proud of me for succeeding to [Skills USA] nationals. I didn’t make it far, but it was just seeing him hug me and be proud of me and everything I do, even if I didn’t turn out on top. Of course, I’m proud of myself, but he was always there for the students.”

Fraser said he is proud of everything Jackson has accomplished, but that they are her accomplishments.

“I am just her biggest fan,” said Fraser. “I remember specifically the day she was hooked, it was the first time she placed on that SkillsUSA stage, at the state conference, a confidence switch flipped in her that diminished any of her doubts about success in cybersecurity. From that point on, there was no stopping her,” he added.

Jackson said that being the only girl in her classroom both years was another major factor in propelling her to succeed in computer technology.

“It gave me initiative, not to be better, but that if I can do this it will be amazing,” she said.

This year Jackson is enrolled in the Cybersecurity-Digital Forensics program at Central Maine Community College (CMCC). While she is currently working on completing her 2nd semester in college, she also has a job working in her school’s IT department. She says she is still one of just a few women in all her courses, but she is looking forward to seeing change in the coming years.

“I earned a semester’s worth of college credits at CATC,” she added. “I don’t think a lot of kids know that they are actual credit.” Jackson’s teacher showed her how to take advantage of dual enrollment at UMA and because of that, she will be able to graduate early from CMCC.

“Students are presented with many opportunities here at the technical center and Madison Jackson was the student to take advantage of everything she could,” said Fraser. “Seeing her continued growth in this industry is what makes my job worthwhile, knowing she found her career interest is what we strive for with all of our students.”

Jackson has big plans to continue pursuing her education right in central Maine before jumping into the workforce. “I hope to go to UMA [the University of Maine at Augusta] and get my bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” she said. Meanwhile, she is doubling down by applying for internships as well.

Jackson has the following advice for other high school students, especially young women, who may be thinking about enrolling in a CTE course.

“Take a chance on any single class. I’ve seen girls in firefighting, welding, and construction,” she said. Jackson shared that the key to finding a sense of belonging is trying to find someone to connect with. “It’s easy to be by yourself as the only girl. Find a connection. I still have friends from my classes. I just took a chance.”

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools throughout Maine, is celebrating CTE month this February by highlighting some of the amazing women who have found their path in life through career and technical education. We hope their stories inspire you the way they have inspired us.

“I had no idea life would take me in this direction. It wasn’t too many years before I changed careers when I said to a friend, ‘There is no way I would want to be a cop in my own hometown!’ and that’s exactly what I became, and I loved it!” said Amanda Baker as she looked back on her journey to becoming a police officer and eventually the Criminal Justice Instructor a Caribou Tech Center.

Baker began her journey studying Education and Recreation at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI). After working at Chewonki Foundation as an outdoor educator and wilderness trip leader, and then at UMPI’s fitness center while teaching courses in recreation, Baker eventually got married and had her daughter Zoey.

“It was motherhood that shifted my perspective; I felt like I had work to do in our community,” said Baker. “I left my job at the University and took the law enforcement 200-hour course. I was hired by Washburn Police and began working as a police officer.  I loved it, but it scared me every day!”

After moving to the Caribou Police Department, she quickly realized she had a lot to learn about being a police officer. It was then that she went to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to earn a Basic Law Enforcement Training Program certificate.

“I was more confident and grateful for the military-style training I received during those 18 weeks at the Academy,” said Baker. However, the journey to finding confidence in her career as a police officer and starting a family was not always easy.

Amanda Baker and a fellow student at the Academy.

Amanda Baker and her daughter Zoey at South Branch Pond

“In 2020 God took my daughter’s father, and I was left to raise Zoey as a single mom,” she said. “I was only able to remain on my law enforcement path because of my parents and sister’s family who filled in many gaps.”

It was in 2023 that Baker saw the Criminal Justice Instructor position open at the Caribou Tech Center, and she knew it was the job that offered the perfect combination of her prior work experiences plus the flexibility to give more time to her daughter.

“My position at the Caribou Tech Center provides me with all that I find most valuable; time with my daughter and family, and an opportunity to influence young adults all while earning a comfortable salary with great benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan,” Baker added.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have Amanda Baker on our staff at Caribou Technology Center,” said Amy White, Caribou Tech Center Director. “Her boundless creativity, unwavering emphasis on school safety, genuine care for students, and vast skillset and background make her an invaluable asset to our team.”

Since joining the team, Baker has started the year off strong by spending the first 4 months of the school year having her students work on a school safety assessment identifying strengths and weaknesses for all of the RSU39 schools and offering strategies for improvement.

“The culmination of this project featured a slide show presentation to the RSU39 School Board in December,” said Baker. “I sat back and watched as my students presented thoughtful, organized, and important information to a captivated audience.”

Right now, Baker’s Criminal Justice students are working on an ethics project and planning an “epic” end-of-the-year celebration featuring a Community First Responder Run hosted by the Caribou Tech Center and a Touch-A-Truck event at the Caribou Community School.

“I am honored to be a part of our student’s journey through civic engagement and service learning,” she added. Baker has also been offering “Power Hour” sessions for Caribou Community School students. The sessions are focused on law enforcement and hope to spark interest in civic service at a young age.

Looking forward Baker is excited about a new Outdoor Recreation program for Northern Maine High School students that is in the works. Baker attributes this new and exciting pathway to Caribou Tech Center’s new and highly driven Director, Amy White.

“I was thrilled to accept the position as instructor for that program as well (while continuing to maintain and build a more robust Criminal Justice program) starting fall 2024,” said Baker.

“With Ms. Baker, we not only benefit from her innovative ideas but also from her dedication to creating a secure and nurturing environment for our students,” added White. “Her passion for education and commitment to excellence truly set her apart, enriching our community in countless ways.  I look forward to continually watching her grow in her new role as a CTE Instructor.”

When asked what advice she would give to students thinking about pursuing education in CTE, this is what Baker had to say, “Experiences, people, and mindset will all influence your path. It can be difficult to remain focused on something when your family and friends tell you you’re crazy (what I heard when I started talking about law enforcement).  It’s important to acknowledge their protection of you, but even more important to know why you are pursuing something so radical. I wanted to be a police officer because I was scared of what my daughter was going to be exposed to. I knew I was physically capable of the job but wasn’t sure I had the skills to take down bad guys. Certain aspects of any job can be learned through training and practice, like taking down bad guys, but mental toughness, grit, and determination are all inside.  Ask yourself, why am I doing this?  If your heart and soul back you up on your “why,” and you know this is what you’re meant to do, go for it! No regrets!”

In June, three students from Lamoine Consolidated School’s Team Engineering Challenge team made history by being the first middle school team to go to Atlanta, Georgia to compete at the National Leadership and SkillsUSA Conference. Benjamin Baldridge, Ian Frost, and Jordan Chan fundraised over $10,000 to attend the weeklong conference and compete in the world’s largest skill competition after winning gold at the State Championships in Bangor back in March.

“The Team Engineering Contest is designed to evaluate and recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the areas of critical and creative thinking skills and the decision-making process to solve a problem,” said Lamoine teacher Miranda Engstrom who accompanied the team to Atlanta. “The contest fosters creativity, innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.” Students demonstrate an occupational skill and present a clear explanation of the topic through displays, examples, experiments, and practical testing operations.

The conference and competition ran from June 19-24 with students competing for 16 hours over the course of three days. The Lamoine students earned 9th place overall, and students also earned special Skill Point Certificates for meeting a threshold contest score. Students can then use these certificates in their employment portfolios to show proficiency and workplace readiness for a particular specialty.

These students are three of 42 middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) students at Lamoine who compete at the Maine SkillsUSA competition. They are excited to attend the Maine State Leadership Conference again next March and try to qualify for Nationals again.

“They are excited to share with their peers and teachers all they learned during their conference and showcase their treasures they collected when we were in Atlanta,” said Engstrom. “They wish to thank the many generous donors that helped them fundraise to get them there, helped them grow as leaders and thinkers, and make memories that will last a lifetime.”