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Career and Technical Education Takes 

Center Stage on April 25th

High school students from across the Upper Peninsula will gather at Northern Michigan University's Jacobetti Complex on Friday, April 25th in a celebration of Career and Technical Education.  NMU will host two student competitions beginning with the 8th Annual Upper Peninsula Construction Skills Challenge, a day-long competition bringing Construction Trades students from ten high schools and career tech centers, who, in five-member teams, have six hours to construct a multipurpose structure complete with a roof, door and window. 

At the same time and right next door in the Jacobetti Complex's Welding Lab, high school welders from across the U.P. will participate in the 8th Annual Boilermakers Local 169 Upper Peninsula High School Welding Invitational.  This competition provides a great opportunity for students to display their welding skills.

Throughout the day, CTE teachers will participate in professional development sessions focused on best instruction, apprenticeship opportunities and safety.  They will also have the opportunity to tour two state-of-the-art new construction projects in Marquette.

New to this year's competition will be the awarding of the Construction Trades Lifetime Achievement Award, presented as part of the Construction Skills Challenge Awards Program, which begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Student Commons area of the Jacobetti Complex.  The award is presented in recognition of an individual's accomplishments in the construction industry or a related career pathway and intended to highlight the unlimited opportunities that exist within the industry.

Many sponsors from across the Upper Peninsula contribute financial support and material donations to make these events possible.  A planning committee headed by Tony Retaskie, Executive Director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council and Jim Calouette from Boilermakers Local 169, and comprised of local trades and business people, NMU administrators, instructors and students and U.P. CTE Directors direct the event.  In addition, numerous members of the trades serve as judges during the competition.

The public is encouraged to attend this celebration of Career and Technical Education and view the work of these talented high school students.  Marquette-Alger RESA's CTE Director Brian Sarvello had the following to say about the event,  "For these students, this is the equivalent of the U.P. or State Finals in athletics.  They work just as hard as any athlete in preparation for the event and take great pride in representing their school and community.  I hope the public will join us to see for themselves the tremendous talent and teamwork on display."

To view the video highlights of the 2013 U.P. Construction Skills Challenge, go to:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_F7GDos9e0