CHARLEVOIX, EMMET COUNTIES — Char-Em Intermediate School District career and technical education leaders said expanded job coaching and a revived co-op work-based learning program are helping students move into skilled trades and other careers after graduation as voters consider a renewal millage on May 5, 2026, across Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties.
The 1.0 mill request would continue funding 23 high school career tech programs across the ISD’s 11 public school districts and support initiatives including job coaching and co-op placements, Char-Em Street STEM, seven summer camps, career counseling, work-based learning and tours of businesses, colleges and trade schools, according to district leadership.
The millage would generate about $8.1 million annually from 2026-29.
“These coaches are working with hundreds of students across the region to help them find careers in fields they are passionate about,” Jim Rummer, director of career and technical education for Char-Em ISD, said.
Rummer said voters approved the last career tech millage in May 2022 with an understanding that part of the funding would increase the number of job coaches.
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates specialists, employed by Northwest Michigan Works! in partnership with Char-Em ISD’s career tech team, now serve as job mentors in each of the ISD’s 11 districts, helping students with postsecondary planning, the release said.
Tracy Beckley, youth services regional director for Northwest Michigan Works, said the specialists support students starting in middle school and continuing through high school with career exploration and preparation.
“We arrange classroom speakers and company tours and also focus on interviewing preparation and work experiences,” Beckley said. “By the end of senior year we want each senior to have a solid plan to launch their career.”
Rummer said the last millage also brought back co-op work-based learning, which allows high school seniors to work part of the school day while earning wages, high school credits and experience in a field of interest.
Rummer said the partnership with Northwest Michigan Works can also help businesses with student wages and connect them to grants and programs that support student workers, including money for tools.
“We are able to offer businesses not only students with real-world skill, talent, and sometimes certifications, but we can also provide the first $1,500 of wages in a co-op experience for interested businesses,” Rummer said. “That’s huge.”
Beckley said 40 students are participating in co-op experiences during the 2025-26 school year.
The district highlighted several students who participated in career tech programs and work-based learning placements.
At a Trades Day event in the spring of his senior year at Boyne City High School, Zach Piechan said he became interested in heavy equipment work after hearing from Montana Moblo of Manthei Construction.
Piechan later applied for an open position with the company after graduating in June 2025, encouraged by Josh Todd, a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates specialist who connected Piechan with Moblo, the release said.
“I knew I didn’t want to work on smaller vehicles,” Piechan said during a Career Tech to Careers signing event held for him in November 2025. “It did not seem as interesting to me as working on larger, heavy equipment.”
The co-op program also helped shape plans for Ryan Meier, a 2025 graduate of Harbor Springs High School, who split his days between school and work with Bay Water Builders, the release said.
After graduation, Meier accepted a job as an entry-level carpenter with the firm owned by Scott McShannock.
“I would love to get more kids coming out of career tech programs,” McShannock said.
Meier said he encouraged other students to consider co-op and career tech coursework.
“I would encourage any high school student to take CTE courses, and especially to take part in co-op,” Meier said. “You also get a head start on your career.”
Caleb Powell, a 2024 graduate of Concord Academy - Petoskey, participated in co-op while taking welding classes at Pellston High School and working at S&S Welding in Petoskey, the release said. After graduation, he began working full time at S&S.
“The trades need the workers,” Powell said in a June 2024 interview. “And also, they’re really fun classes to take.”
Char-Em ISD also holds Career Tech to Careers signing events to recognize students who move directly into the workforce using skills gained through vocational education.
The events are modeled after student-athlete signing ceremonies and can include family members, ISD staff, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates specialists, Northwest Michigan Works representatives and school district staff such as teachers, counselors and administrators.
“This is a way we go full circle in supporting these young adults who are putting their skills to work in valuable trades in our communities,” Rummer said.
More information and student stories are available at this link. Voters can learn more about Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education and the May 2026 millage request at www.charemisdcareertech.org.
Beckley said Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates specialists keep in contact with students after graduation to support follow-through on career plans.
“The JMG Specialist contacts each student at least once a month after graduation for a year to encourage them to follow through on their goals or pivot if necessary,” Beckley said.