Many high school students choosing trade schools

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Blue collar trade workers are in high demand. Many high school students are choosing this career path.

Students and faculty at Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center explain why trade school is so important.

For second year CTC student Nathan Montes, going to a trade school was family tradition.

“It was in my family,” said Montes. “Automotive has been in my family for a long time with my aunts and uncles. ”

“So it just really drives me to follow in the same footsteps of the rest of my family.”

CTC’s automotive technology instructor Michael Blyzes knew the importance of being a part of a trade program that he came back as a teacher

“I was here between the years 2008 and 2010 and I had Ron Shafer as my instructor as many other people in the community,” Blyzes said. “The job opportunity came up here to teach and that’s how I kinda wound up here.”

Over the years the idea of attending trade schools had diminished but currently enrolled students are getting the experience to further their career.

“Programs like these are incredibly awesome,” said Blyzes. “They’re almost like the backbone because the kids that come through here like myself couldn’t afford college whenever I was in school.”

As trade schools become more popular, Assistant Director of Secondary Education Travis Wilson says job readiness is essential.

“One of our main focuses is getting students job ready so if they want to go right into the job force from us, our campus we’re getting them ready for entry level work,” said Wilson.

The CTC offers more than 15 different programs.