Wifey B: I don't think a high school program can prepare someone for the job. I see it as preparing them for the further program that will make them ready for the job.
I'll try to expand on that thought. I think in high school, all students still need to complete the basic curriculum. That leaves a limited amount of time for a specialty, whether it's a technical specialty or another one. High school needs to prepare the student for the next step while also preparing for life in general.
So, whether it's marine technology or any other area, I feel like high school can provide some basics while allowing one to determine the seriousness of their interest and then they can hit a technical school, often a community college, and in two years be quite ready for a career. Many will work as interns while learning in technical school.
On the job training can train one rapidly sometimes, good sometimes, but poorly other times. One weakness is that by itself it may train someone only for one position, only in one segment of the business. On the other hand formal education should provide a broader base and exposure to more areas.
Obviously, I speak with the prejudice of a teacher and educator, but I'm also a strong supporter of technical training. In a school we have a responsibility with we've made great effort toward preparing students. We also want all students to pursue some post high school education. We do try in the high school program to look at real jobs in the community, jobs that can be available to the student. We have a program in equipment mechanics and we've elicited managers from every manufacturer in town to teach and to offer input. We want the students to meet the requirements of local employers. There was an auto mechanics program and it was all gas engines. We changed it to auto and truck as we approached a very large diesel shop not far away. On top of that the school has a fleet of buses and the students are doing some basic learning and work on them. We were shocked there were no diesel mechanics available in town. We hope many will go on to a two year program, work part time after school, and become employable as diesel mechanics. We don't train in anything marine because no boats in the area and no boatyards.
The school is in a very poor area with limited opportunities, so it's critical that we do gear training toward real jobs, not toward those that don't exist there. We're also in a farming area so have an agricultural program. The school now has a farm and is growing food for the school cafeterias. Not only teaching the kids, but reducing food costs and allowing the cafeterias to improve meal quality.
Yes, Education is an important objective. Preparing young people for long, happy, successful lives is as well. But often we do lose sight of the need to prepare young people for jobs that fit their interests and their aptitudes. Right now we offer IT Training, Agriculture, Equipment Technology, HVAC, Auto and Truck Technology, Health Science, Culinary Arts, Welding Technology and Building Construction. We're open to anything for which there are potential jobs available. The school is in an area of extreme poverty with over 95% of the students coming from families living below the poverty line.
There is no technical or community college in the county, the nearest 40 miles away. They have some very good programs and missing some I wish they did have.
This is our first year involved and still learning our way with an amazing director and a lot of help from local employers, of which we are one. It's a challenge but one emphasis our director there has made for high school students is to really discuss and assist them in planning their future, whatever that might be. We walked into a lot of "I don't know, I have no plans, no idea, nothing." Last year, less than 35% of graduates continued with any form of education. We don't care what it is, but our goal is 100% doing something. Our goal is to educate so none of them have to settle for minimum wage.
