If you have a high school student in your family, you have probably realized many of the programs and educational tracks that you may have experienced as a student have probably changed. Gone are the days of Home Economics, Typing, Woodshop, and Auto. These basic courses have morphed into career track classes as government continues to push for College and Career Ready high school graduates. Students at Superior High School have the option to pursue advanced career preparation programs through the Cobre Valley Institute of Technology (CVIT).
CVIT provides funding for school based Career Technical Education (CTE) in Superior students can take courses to train them for the workforce in culinary, hospitality management, business management and education professions. They may also participate in regional programs such as welding, licensed nursing assistant, cosmetology, fire science, graphic design and dental assistant in partnership Gila Community College in Globe. Superior Unified provides a driver to GCC for students from Superior who wish to take these career courses. When a student finishes a program through CVIT they earn the industry certification if they pass appropriate state exams.
All of these programs are funded through Joint Technical Education (JTED) funding distributed through the state. Several school districts/communities participate in CVIT, Superior, Hayden San Carlos, Globe and Miami. In the last election the Ray Unified School District voters voted to join CVIT. JTEDS are partially funded by property taxes, program grants, and funding from the State of Arizona.
Two years ago Superior began the hospitality program in efforts to prepare students for work at the Magma Hotel and other tourism based careers that may develop in Superior and the region. CVIT can also work with local employers and small businesses to develop training programs that will help to train and develop a workforce for their business.
Pete Guzman serves as the Superintendent for the CVIT district and Beata Tarasiuk is the Executive Program Director for the district. Together they develop the programs and coordinate with the local school districts. To learn more about CVIT you can visit their website at www.cvit81.org.