CTE program striking up new partnerships
April 27, 2018
Career and technical education coordinator hired to take what’s been done to the next level for students
A program meant to expand career and technical education in Elk River Area Schools is poised to make some strategic moves.
The program started this fall and has expanded as planned.
Amy Lord recently joined the district’s team two months ago as the liaison between the district and area businesses. Lord, the career and technical education coordinator, was introduced at the March 12 Elk River Area School Board meeting.
The Elk River woman was previously an employment services manager at Anoka County, where she worked for more than eight years and partnered with local employers, colleges, Adult Basic Education and WorkForce Center staff to develop project proposals that align with local employment opportunities.
In addition to helping adults and dislocated workers, she helped grow youth programs there. These programs were aimed at youth ages 15 to 24 and looked at their interests, values and strengths and worked to find paths for them.
Lord said students were placed with businesses in the community for a week for some career exploration and learned what Lord calls “soft skills,” knowing how to show up on time, solve problems and talk to a supervisor.