Six Catholic schools in the Omaha Archdiocese will launch a multi-year pilot program next school year focused on offering students education and technical training for alternative career paths.
Archbishop of Omaha Michael McGovern said Friday that the pilot program represents a “new moment in Catholic education.” He said the gradual expansion after the initial year will help Catholic schools attract and retain students who are interested in pursuing a technical career, like automotive mechanics and HVAC technicians, after high school.
“We live in a challenging time when people think about, ‘what is the future?” McGovern said. “We want to help young people be able to make a life and a living in a way that respects human dignity and allows people to use their gifts in a way that will help them to really be stewards of the gifts that God has entrusted them.”
Depending on the school and the age of participants, the program will include trade boot camps, career exploration days, outreach from women working in technical fields and hands-on activities in fields like robotics.
To support the initiative, the Archdiocese will hire an assistant superintendent for technical and career education. The development thus far has been informed by a Career and Technical Education Viability Task Force, which includes members of the Archdiocese, representatives of Metropolitan Community College and multiple local businesspeople and labor unions.
One task force member is Rick Bettger, who owns Omaha Car Care automotive repair centers. He said the combination of representatives from industries that need workers and educators helps inform a program that will meet the needs of students and employers.
“We really believe that this initiative also helps more families to choose or to continue to choose Catholic education,” Bettger said. “By diversifying into career and technical education, we are now creating pathways to let them continue to choose Catholic education.”
Cailin Dejillas, the human rights and relations director with the Omaha mayor’s office, also attended Friday’s event. She said an emphasis on technical and career education is key to “brain gain” by keeping kids in Nebraska and Omaha after high school.
“Optimally, students will graduate high school with exposure to careers – exactly what we’re doing here – and some career or technical education or certification,” Dejillas said.
The Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools oversees 63 elementary and high schools across 23 counties. The participating schools outside of Omaha are Norfolk Catholic Junior and Senior High School and St. Joseph Elementary School in Atkinson. The Omaha schools included in the pilot program are Christ the King Catholic School, Skutt Catholic High School, All Saints Catholic School and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School.