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Caledonia High teacher outlines SME PRIME grant to expand manufacturing credentials and courses
Summary
A high school tech-ed teacher told the board that a new SME PRIME grant will fund equipment, training and NC3 certifications in CAD/CAM, precision measurement and additive manufacturing; initial equipment and training are fully grant-funded, with sustainability funding sought later.
Kyle Scholten, a high school technology-education teacher, told the board the district received an SME PRIME grant that will support CAD/CAM, precision measurement and additive manufacturing at Caledonia High School and allow students to earn NC3 industry certifications.
Scholten said the initial equipment package and his travel and summer training were fully funded by the SME grant, and that SME offers follow-on sustainability funds to support consumables in future years. He described a staged rollout with machining and metalworking course expansion targeted for next fall and said the district will partner with local businesses to acquire equipment.
Board members asked whether the grant covers all equipment costs and whether the district would need to subsidize purchases; Scholten said the current grant covers the equipment and training in the initial phase and noted the PRIME program wants participating programs to become self-sustaining over time.
Why it matters: The grant supplements career and technical education offerings, provides credentialing that students can carry into the workplace, and addresses local workforce needs in skilled trades.
Next steps: Administration and Scholten will finalize orders this fall to avoid price increases and will provide updates to the board about program enrollment and sustainability funding.
