Dearborn trustees hear plan to expand CTE offerings and modernize Michael Berry Career Center
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Summary
CTE supervisor Dr. John Bridal outlined current career and technical education programs, recent investments (cybersecurity lab, construction trades lab), and conceptual plans for an expanded Michael Berry Career Center to house automotive, EV, welding and multiuse labs; any construction would require board approval and funding.
Dr. John Bridal, the district’s career and technical education supervisor, gave the board a detailed overview of Dearborn’s CTE programs on Jan. 12 and previewed conceptual plans for expanding the Michael Berry Career Center.
Bridal said the district is emphasizing sequential CTE pathways that combine life skills, employability skills and technical training. "We have a brand new construction trades lab that is almost done," he said, and highlighted a recently completed cybersecurity lab at the Michael Berry Career Center.
He ran through programs offered at the career center — automotive technician (three-year sequence with ASE and mechanic licensing), construction trades, culinary arts and hospitality, allied health and medical careers, criminal justice, education careers, computer programming, digital design, and information technology/cybersecurity (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ certifications). He said many programs are tied to college credit via articulation agreements and gave the Collegiate Academy as an example pathway that can yield an associate degree.
Bridal also described conceptual architect plans for adding a wing at Michael Berry that could include an automotive lab capable of accommodating electric vehicles and emerging technologies, additional trades labs and multiuse classrooms. He cautioned the proposal is exploratory and would require funding, community input and formal board approval before any construction could proceed.
Trustees asked about scheduling (half-day CTE blocks, transportation), whether students can opt out after a year, and how certifications translate to college credit; Bridal explained most programs are two-year sequences with options to start in tenth grade and that certifications can translate into transcripted college credits through written agreements with partner colleges.
No board action was taken; trustees thanked staff and were invited to an upcoming CTE open house at Michael Berry.