OAISD HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEWLY RENOVATED FACILITY
TO BETTER SERVE GROWING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION NEEDS
Holland, MI - Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 25, for its newly renovated and expanded career and technical education facility at 13565 Port Sheldon Street in Holland. The Careerline Tech Center (CTC) East Building provides additional classroom space and modernized learning facilities for career and technical education programs to high school juniors and seniors ensuring students are well-prepared for successful and fulfilling careers.
CTC East is a renovation of OAISD’s former administration building, now designed to accommodate health and human services-related programs and future expansions.
Kris Doenges, Director of Careerline Tech Center for OAISD, said the demand for Careerline Tech Center programming has grown steadily, resulting in a significant waitlist each year for 11th and 12th-grade students. “The expansion addresses the increasing demand for hands-on career and technical training,” Doenges shared. “Adding the East Building allows us to serve more students and meet the growing need for these critical programs.”
The CTC East Building is home to health sciences programs, including Certified Nurse Aide, Patient Care Tech, Phlebotomy, Advanced Healthcare, Dental, and a new program added this year—Surgical Tech. In fall 2025, the Emergency Medical Services and Public Safety and Security Services programs will move from the West Building to the East Building, where the new Fire Academy program will also launch. Over the next few years, the expansion will allow for the addition of 9 new programs.
“The addition of the East Building will increase CTC’s capacity, enabling it to serve up to 400 more students in the coming years for a targeted enrollment increase of 30%, which is exciting,” Dave Searles, Associate Superintendent for CTE at OAISD, said. “The long-term goal of this expansion is to increase both the number of programs and students served, providing greater access to career and technical education and helping more students prepare for successful careers.”
CTE programs help students explore potential career paths, earn industry-recognized certifications, and gain real-world experience, whether they plan to enter the workforce directly or continue their education after high school.
OAISD Superintendent Dr. Kyle Mayer said, “One of the most exciting aspects of this building is the partnerships we've established with local businesses, bringing the classroom to life through real-world experiences. Career and technical education provides students with hands-on learning and practical skills that are essential for success in today’s workforce. Many of the students who train here will go on to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare and positively impact our community for many years to come.”
Careerline Tech Center
Operated by Ottawa Area ISD, Careerline Tech Center prepares high school juniors and seniors for tomorrow's workforce by providing career and technical education in 30 career areas. CTC serves students from public and private high schools, as well as those who are homeschooled, within the following local school districts: Allendale, Coopersville, Grand Haven, Hamilton, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Saugatuck, Spring Lake, West Ottawa, and Zeeland. www.CareerlineTech.org
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Ottawa Area ISD works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, Ottawa Area ISD provides important programs and services to local K‐12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost‐effective ways possible. To learn more about Ottawa Area ISD visit www.oaisd.org
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Holland, MI - Careerline Tech Center (CTC) invites all area 9th, 10th and 11th-grade students, parents and other community members to the annual Open House event on Tuesday, October 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thirty programs will be open to tour and teachers will be present to speak with parents and students about the benefits of career/technical education including how to earn college credit, fulfill high school credit requirements, and gain real-world job experience while enrolled.
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