Differing gifts

News stories about holders of arcane college degrees drowning in student loan debt with dim job prospects and reports of large numbers of skilled jobs going begging for lack of qualified applicants are everywhere.

How did our educational system get so out of whack with the job market? A few generations ago, it was possible for someone with an eighth grade education—it was a lot more basic then—was able to secure gainful employment that paid enough to support a family.

Now, there seems to be a generally accepted notion that a college degree—any college degree—is necessary to get a job, that those without said degree are somehow inferior.

Not your typical school equipment

For too long, school systems geared up to channel the best and brightest to college and pretty much forgot about the rest. Not everyone takes to “book learning” or has an interest in spending a lifetime  at a desk.

Goochland’s current school board adopted a strategic plan whose goals include maximizing the potential of every learner. Given the complex and changing nature of our today’s world, the most important skill for our students to acquire is to learn how to learn and adapt to new paradigms.

To that end, a career and technical education component was added to the GHS curriculum. Last spring, schools invited local businesses to a roundtable discussion to share information and learn how Goochland schools can better prepare students to fill local jobs.

On March 28, a reception and networking session was held in the GHS learning commons as the next step in the process. Sponsored by the school division; the Goochland Chamber of Commerce; the county; and Reynolds Community College, the event included high school students.

Following an introduction by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeremy Raley, Director of the CTE heavy equipment program, Michael Verrastro presented a short video. https://youtu.be/1m4fWNXJJiQ

Verrastro, a veteran of the Navy's Seabee construction battalion explained, that GHS has the only heavy equipment operator program in Virginia. This offers the opportunity for certification for an OSHA temporary card, workplace readiness training and certification, all while students are still in high school.

The construction and heavy equipment courses provide a viable alternative to traditional education teaching marketable skills for entry level jobs in industry with good wages close to home.

Roundtable presentations by local business and industry leaders followed. Described as a new kind of “speed dating” by Dr. John Hendron, Director of Innovation and Strategy—the guy who makes the magic happen—entities spent a few minutes describing what they do and employee skills they are seeking to interested GHS students.

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay (left) describes jobs in life safety service.

These included: Hourigan Construction; Willbros T&D; Goochland Fire-Rescue; Carter Machinery; Howell’s Heating and Air; Luck Stone; Moseley Architects; Richmond Area Municipal Contractor’s Association; Alarms Inc.’ and Capital One. 

A representative from Carter Machinery talks with GHS students

Dr. Steve Geyer gave a progress report on the “Profile of  a Goochland graduate” project. This will provide a blueprint for a successful life after high school. So far components include: the value of the school experience; input from community stakeholders; content knowledge; workplace skills; community engagement; and civic responsibility. The challenge, said Geyer, is to prepare students for careers that have not yet been imagined and to help them understand that education is a conversation with no end.

Bruce Watson, Director of the Career and Technical Education program, who contends that he has the best job in the school division, said that since its inception in 2012, CTE has expanded into many areas.

 In addition to hands on skills, students in construction and heavy equipment operation  learn math that applies to their area of concentration and conversational Spanish.

Thousands of new medical jobs will be coming to Goochland and the health services program will help our students prepare to fill them. The boom in pet ownership will provide job openings for veterinary technician graduates. Attendees devoured the tasty breakfast that  demonstrated the proficiency of the culinary arts students.

Culinary Arts Students provided a delicious breakfastStudent thoughts

Goochland Schools give our kids the chance to investigate their differing gifts and find their unique path to success. One size does not fit all.