Colfax High School instructor Jonathan Schwartz continues to build up the school’s technical education courses.

Recently, Schwartz successfully obtained two grants – one from Sierra College and another from Lemelson-MIT.

The $150,000 grant from Sierra College will focus on developing a cross-departmental (wood, metal and electronics) program, explained Schwartz.

Utilizing CAD/CAM technologies, the students will learn engineering, design, manufacturing, product development, problem-solving and solution design.

Roger Whittelsey, currently studying woodshop, likes having the ability to make things.

“Woodshop is fun because you design and build anything you can think of,” he said.

Thirty students will rotate through four classes – metal and wood shops, computer IT, electronics – spending three or four weeks in each discipline, Schwartz explained.

As part of the rotation, the students will work as a design team drawing on skills and techniques learned in each discipline to complete one project.

Cody Alonzo, one of Schwartz’s students had not been involved in a school-oriented project before this class.

“I enjoy being part of this design team,” he said adding, “I think it is worth being part of it.”

Schwartz also believes the course would serve as a good introduction to technical education opportunities for younger students.

“The Lemelson MIT grant is really helping us to create our ideas,” added chief engineer Donald Blackburn. “It is all about making the world a better place.”

At the heart of the expanded program is an effort to encourage students to earn their two-year degree at Sierra, he continued.

“They have a great pre-engineering program,” Schwartz said, adding the students would be set on the path to high-wage, high-demand occupations in engineering and design as well as manufacturing.

The new articulation agreements will be explored with Sierra College’s Mechatronics, Engineering and/or Engineering Support Technology degree and certificate programs.

Fewer than 10 percent of high schools students in Placer and Nevada counties have access to technical education courses, Schwartz continued.

“Middle school career exploration activities to attract the next generation of engineers and technicians and inform them about required high school courses in mathematics and technical writing are not available,” Schwartz said. “High school students completing engineering, design or manufacturing-related courses have to take these courses again in college due to the shortage of articulated linkages.”

In addition, manufacturing employers in Placer and Nevada counties list “a lack of labor force with appropriate skills” as their number one concern, Schwartz said.

“This program will build the capacity of high school students at Colfax High School for entry into high-wage, high-demand occupations in engineering and design and manufacturing and product development sectors through strengthened CTE programs and career pathways that align with Sierra College programs,” he concluded. “The program will provide a model for CTE programs statewide.”