GRANITE CITY — More than 130 high school students from across the Metro-East and the surrounding region gathered at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) for the 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase—an event designed to highlight student talent and connect education directly to workforce opportunities.
Hosted at SWIC’s Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, the event featured hands-on competitions in carpentry, welding, health sciences, education, marketing, and advanced manufacturing. Students demonstrated real-world skills in front of industry professionals, educators, and community partners.
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“This event is about more than competition, it’s about building a pipeline from our classrooms to careers,” said Kaleb Smith, Director of Madison County CTE. “Our students are showing they’re ready to step into high-demand fields, and our partners are helping make that possible.”
A key partner in the event, Southwestern Illinois College provided both the venue and access to facilities that mirror postsecondary and workforce environments, giving students a firsthand look at the next step in their education and career pathways.
Industry partnerships played a critical role in elevating the experience. The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Training Center supported the carpentry and woodworking competitions, while Project MFG brought nationally recognized, industry-aligned standards to welding and advanced manufacturing events. Healthcare partners, including BJC and Hospital Sisters Health System, helped facilitate hands-on skill demonstrations for students interested in medical careers.
Throughout the day, students participated in challenges that required technical skill, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork, key competencies in today’s workforce. Events ranged from framing structures and performing CPR to delivering TED-style presentations and completing precision machining tasks.
More than $20,000 in prizes and scholarships were awarded to students, made possible through the support of regional employers and industry sponsors.
The CTE Showcase reflects a growing effort across Madison County to align education with workforce needs and provide students with meaningful, career-connected learning experiences.
“We are fortunate to have strong partnerships with industry and education,” Smith added. “When those come together, our students benefit, and so does our entire region.”
