CTE director says enrollment at Wilson Career & Technical Education Center up about 10%
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Summary
Kenzie Brown presented an update on the Wilson Career & Technical Education Center, reporting a roughly 10% increase in course enrollment (about 50 students), new partnerships with Williston State College and Bismarck State College for certifications, and plans for expanded pathways including dental assisting, CDL training and mechatronics.
Kenzie Brown, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) director, told the Williston Basin School District No. 7 board that enrollment in the Wilson CTE Center is up about 10% compared with last year, or roughly 50 additional students across member districts.
Brown described a full slate of current programs — agriculture, auto technology, aviation, business, marketing, construction, culinary, health careers, EMS/firefighting and welding — and highlighted new offerings underway. "My business manager got me those numbers before I left today, and we're up 10% from last year," Brown said, adding that several classes are currently full.
Brown said the center is expanding career‑pathway options through partnerships with higher‑education providers: Bismarck State College will provide lab equipment and offer a mechatronics certification and mechanical drives and hydraulics instruction; TrainND and Williston State College will support a hands‑on phase for CDL training. On dental assisting, Brown said the program has partnered with five dental offices and students must complete 300 clinical hours plus CPR and OSHA training to qualify for a dental‑assisting credential.
Brown emphasized outreach to industry partners and communities across the district, naming Williston, Ray and Trenton as member districts and noting access for homeschool and private‑school students through Williston Basin School District enrollment. She said the center has a work‑based learning coordinator to connect students with industry placements and that the program aims to strengthen post‑secondary and employer partnerships.
Board members asked about certifications for welding and auto tech. Brown said students receive safety and OSHA training and that industry credentials for welding are still being developed. Members also raised sustainability questions about community funding; Brown said she and district leadership have a fiscal plan and believe the program would be maintainable even if some community support were to change.
Brown invited board members and the public to the CTE open house scheduled for Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m., described as the center's main CTE Month showcase of student work and program demonstrations.
The board offered praise for the program’s growth and partnerships, and the discussion closed with no formal action required.