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Career-technical partnership with Boyd Cat wins regional award; students land internships and scholarships
Summary
Education Alliance named the Five County Career Technical Center and Boyd Cat a regional School-Business Partnership of the Year, awarding a $2,000 celebration grant and advancing the partnership to compete for a $25,000 state prize; students described internships, internships/external training and scholarship outcomes.
Mr. Crawford of the Education Alliance presented a regional 'Hope for the Future School Business Partnership of the Year' award to the Five County Career Technical Center and Boyd Cat Machinery, saying the partnership demonstrated authentic collaboration, student impact and resource leveraging. "As a regional winner, they will receive a $2,000 celebration grant," he said, and noted the partnership will be eligible for the $25,000 state award.
The award recognizes a collaboration that integrates classroom instruction and workplace experience. The presenters emphasized that students in the diesel technology program earn technical skills, college credit options and direct workplace experience through a 'Think Big' partnership with Boyd Cat. A business representative said the program provides internships and externships that send students to Caterpillar training sites in Peoria, Illinois.
Teacher and workforce-development remarks highlighted concrete outcomes for two students: one student will participate in the Think Big externship and college coursework; another won a $20,000 scholarship and additional SkillsUSA awards that combined to increase his postsecondary opportunities. Mr. Lambert, the CTE instructor, described his students as "ready for work" and praised company support; Jacob from Boyd Cat outlined hiring and training pathways that include paid externships and tuition reimbursement for qualifying students.
Board members lauded the partnership as a model for local workforce development, and the district will publicize the program as the partnership advances to state-level consideration. The Education Alliance and district said the regional grant can be used for celebration or reinvested in the partnership.
What's next: the partnership will compete among regional winners for a state award package; district and company representatives said they will continue to expand internships and dual-enrollment opportunities.
