Construction is set to begin on a state-of-the-art Clare-Gladwin Career and Technical Education (CTE) building, courtesy of a generous $15 million grant from the State of Michigan's Labor and Economic Opportunity Department. This funding will pave the way for extensive upgrades and expansion at the John C. Magnus Center, providing advantages not only for upcoming CTE students from Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin and Harrison but also for the surrounding communities.
As part of Michigan's commitment to advancing vocational education, the state’s goal is to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 50.5% today to 60% by 2030. This new facility effectively aligns with the state's objectives, addressing skill gaps, supporting economic growth, improving educational access and encouraging fair competition for inclusive development.
"The increasing demand for skill-based labor goes beyond our local community and spans throughout Michigan," said CTE Director Eric Johnson. "This expanded facility not only addresses current needs but also positions CTE for future growth, allowing us to add essential program courses for much-needed skill-based positions in the region."
The expansion at the Magnus Center will meet the growing demands for CTE programs by creating spacious, modern classrooms, improving program flexibility for future courses, incorporating a 6500-square-foot conference center and providing a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen for the Culinary Arts program.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m., Friday, April 5, marking a significant step toward a brighter future for career-focused education in the region.