What is Tech Prep? 

(Information obtained from the State of Michigan – Department of Labor and Economic Growth - 2005)

Tech Prep Associate Degree programs are community wide partnerships between school districts, community colleges, and local business/labor to prepare youth and adults for entry into technical and career fields. Tech Prep strengthens the academic preparation of each student by combining classroom and workplace experiences. Tech Prep uses career counseling to provide students with a greater awareness of choices about their future. A multi-disciplinary, multi-educational level method that blends academic and technical education. Tech Prep teaches a set of core competencies in mathematics, science, communications and technology that can lead to an associate degree or a two-year certificate in a specific career area with the flexibility to continue on to a more advanced degree.

A strong foundation of rigorous academics combined with sought after technical skills prepare students for further study and/or employment. By connecting academics with work, students see the relevance of what they are taught. The result is that students learn more and are better prepared for whatever future they choose.

Many students choose to pursue the Tech Prep Associate Degree (TPAD) through their local community college. The TPAD helps students focus their efforts toward achievable goals by providing a road map to success. The TPAD also helps make education more affordable by allowing high school students to earn college credit toward their degree.
Other options available to Tech Prep students are two-year certificate programs, two-year registered apprenticeship programs, and the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university.

A Tech Prep student is any learner who has an Educational Development Plan (EDP) demonstrating their selection of a series of courses and school-to-work activities at the secondary school and college levels. This series of courses and activities is designed to prepare the student to enter, compete and advance in a world-class workforce. The careers of the future may not require a four-year college degree. However, they will require education beyond high school. Tech Prep Associate Degree programs prepare students for high wages in interesting and exciting fields.

Since 1987, Michigan has supported grants to local consortia for Tech Prep programs. More than 90% of the school districts in Michigan currently participate as partners which also include public community colleges, intermediate school districts, area career centers, high schools, many four-year private and state colleges and universities and business partners. Each consortium develops a planned approach for serving youth and adult learners. The consortium provides a strong comprehensive link between secondary schools and colleges and universities, resulting in an easy transition from high school to college. Each consortium works with their local business partners to make sure that Tech Prep is responsive to the unique economic needs of the region.