Young engineers are in high demand, and it’s a trend likely to continue through the coming decade.
That was the message presented to students and parents at ‘Discover the Future of Engineering,? an informational event at Oakland Technical Campus Northwest (OTEC) in Clarkston last week.
Speakers from educational institutions, as well as those who work in several different fields talked to students about various types of more common career options such as computer, mechanical, industrial, electrical, chemical, and aerospace engineering, as well as lesser known areas such as nuclear, environmental, software, architectural engineering.
‘We wanted to explain what engineering is, and expose as many students as we could to the different aspects,? said Don Peters, an engineering and emerging technologies instructor at OTEC.
‘We’re seeing such a large retirement in those areas, and at the same time we’re also seeing an explosion of new technology.?
Peters was one of several instructors who worked to plan and facilitate the event.
At OTEC, students are immersed in a nontraditional learning environment that provides them with the technical, academic, and workplace skills necessary to pursue a successful’career.
The curriculum, equipment, technology and staffing at each campus is designed to meet the current and emerging needs of today’s industries.
In addition to speakers at last weeks event, current OTEC students demonstrated solar power and windmill experiments, 3-dimensional simulation software, and a number of other projects involving pneumatics, robotics, electronics and other technologies.
One student, John Kim, showed off his an intelligent fuel cell car for onlookers.
‘It’s my favorite project so far,? said Kim, explaining that each student involved with the project was responsible for building his or her own car from a kit, then documenting data from numerous tests and measurements on the model.
OTEC instruction in a number of career preparation options for students in four campuses across Oakland County: Pontiac, Royal Oak, Wixom and Clarkston.
‘I’d like to see more students really take advantage of the technical education opportunities they have here in Oakland County,? said Kirk Thams, vice president of operations at X-R-I Testing in Troy. ‘I can’t stress that enough; these kinds of programs are not prevalent in the rest of the county.?
Thams, whose company provides testing services to aerospace and automotive manufactures, said his field is overflowing with jobs for young people, especially those who are interested in math, science and technology.
‘Opportunities in non-destructive testing exist in every industry in every state in the country,? he said ‘There’s a huge shortfall and it’s going to continue at least until 2015.?
Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest is located at 8211 Big Lake Road in Clarkston. Call the campus at 248-922-5800 or visit www.oakland.k12.mi.us/CFE.

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest will host a College and Career open house Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. at 8211 Big Lake Road in Clarkston.
Featured events include:
‘Demonstrations in Culinary Arts, Natural Resources;
‘Visual Imaging art show
‘Sports car display;
‘Captain Nutrition challenge; and
‘Valentine flowers, pizza, pop, and bake sale to benefit student clubs.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about careers in Visual Imaging Technology; Engineering and Emerging Technologies; Agriscience’and Natural Resources Technology; Business Management and Marketing; Construction Technology; Culinary Arts and Hospitality; and Health Sciences.
The event is free and open to the public. Call 248-922-5800 for more information.