PERRYSBURG – Penta Career Center continues to see growth in enrollment.
All of the interest in career education is translating into outstanding numbers, said Ryan Lee, director of career and technical education, at the June 7 board meeting.
The center has received nearly 1,000 new applications for the 2023-24 school year, including 232 for health/human hospitality, 225 for manufacturing/transportation/agriculture, 227 for construction/IT/business and 295 for sophomore exploratory/manufacturing.
Communications have already started with these students and their parents to make sure they’re prepared for what campus life looks like, Lee said.
An estimated 660 students are returning in the fall, he said.
The building is designed to hold 1,600 students with 1,658 anticipated this fall, said Superintendent Ed Ewers.
“We also have a little attrition but when you think about it, we are nearly or at capacity,” he said.
Over the course of the last three years, enrollment has increased by almost 200 students, Ewers said after the meeting.
Adding programs at the high school is discussed a lot, but space and teachers have been challenging, he said.
“We know the need is there. Every industry is saying we need more,” Ewers said. “Finding that balance of having the space and finding the instructor … that’s an issue.”
Timelines for any expansion will be outlined in the center’s master plan, which is currently being developed.
Some adaptations have already started, including the purchase of a building in Holland for adult programming and potentially senior-only programming, Ewers said.
“Those are things were looking at and we’ve got some tentative ideas for where else we can grow on campus,” he said.
In relation to the center’s adult education fall and spring semesters, 100% of participants in construction technologies, HVAC and welding earned their credentials. Eighty-five percent in the phlebotomy technician class and 75% in dental assisting earned their certificates.
“These look really good compared to our history,” Lee said.
The challenge is finding individuals who want to give up 10-20 hours per week to teach a class.
“Someone who is working 40 hours per week, having them come in and work in the evening, that’s a challenge,” he said.
They’ve been using high school staff to teach adult programs, Ewers said.
Once potential teachers come in, they enjoy the experience, they like working at Penta, Lee said.
Right now, one instructor teaches the class, but this fall he’d like seven instructors to teach one class, he said.
That will free up instructor’s time to once or twice a month rather than 20 hours a week.
