Working nine to five

 

Since its inception about a decade ago, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Goochland High School has worked to bridge the mismatch between the job market and skilled workers. CTE helps students explore where their gifts and aspirations will take them after graduation, be it college, the military, or the world of work. Bruce Watson, Director of CTE, Christin East, Division Coordinator for Student Programs, and Tim Greenway CTE Chair are the team that folded this into Work Based Learning (WBL).

School and business folk gather at GHS learning commons

Business roundtables sponsored by CTE facilitate useful conversations between local companies and the school division. This has evolved into to a robust and ever-expanding program of mentorship, apprenticeship, and "real world" job experiences for students. The goal is to prepare students for the local workforce so that they will become productive citizens and remain in the region, supporting its economic viability.

The latest of these was held at the GHS learning commons on December 2, the first in person event since Covid.

In opening remarks Goochland Superintendent of Schools, Jeremy Raley, Ed. D., gave a brief overview. "I am blessed to be a part of public education in this community that supports public education more than any community than I've even been a part of," Raley said. He listed a few of our school division's accomplishments—they are many— including being ranked the number 1 school division in the Richmond region by Niche.com for the fourth consecutive year and having the best teachers. "Goochland continues to be a shining star when it comes to delivering high quality public education to students."

Raley attributed the success of GCPS to an excellent team supported by the Goochland Board of Supervisors, something rare in the Commonwealth, and the community at large as evidenced by the overwhelming approval—85 percent— of the education bond referendum at the polls last month.

In addition to funding a new elementary school, the education bonds will pay to add approximately 30 thousand square feet to GHS for CTE, which currently operates off site. This will allow expansion of the program well into the future.

CTE's goal is to help students expand the learning they do within the walls of the school into the real world. The goal is for every graduate to have had at least one work-based learning experience.

Watson explained that work-based learning provides opportunities for students to "test drive a career". The logo for the program—a clever combination of gears and stairsteps around the GCPS G—was designed by a competition among GHS marketing students in eleven days.

The winning team is currently working with the school division's marketing professionals to refine the logo, which in itself is a work-based learning experience. All GHS students participate with business partners to learn about specific careers, and industries.

Looking beyond graduation starts early. Career awareness in elementary school includes guest speakers, and field trips. Career exploration in middle school includes mentorships, and career and skills assessment. Career preparation in high school includes 11 different work-based learning opportunities CTE certifications, internships, clinical experiences, and apprenticeships. "We want kids to be thinking about what they want to do after high school in the eighth grade," said Watson. Whatever students are interested in, even of not a CTE area of study, the program will help students connect with that career.

He explained that,  programs like job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships have been offered for the past few years. The students have the responsibility to find the company they want to work with so that they have skin in the game. Apprenticeships take place in senior year. Students alternate full days, studying at GHS to complete graduation requirements, with full work days on the job site. Watson said the eight hour day  arrangement is better for students and employers.

East said that job shadowing is an umbrella for many different activities ranging from an interview to field trip.

Watson addressed some employer concerns about the program. WBL is a part of the classroom, parents and the school division insure the student. GCPS will follow all federal labor laws prior to matching a student with business. GCPS provides OSHA training. Liability for injuries sustained while traveling to and from work rests with the party responsible for transportation of the student.

"Woven through everything we do here is soft skills," said Watson. "Employers tell us they want students who show up on time; are dressed appropriately; are able to think critically; are creative; resilient; can look me in the eye; and they can work in groups. We drive that home."

Greenway said that the program starts wit interview skills, regular resume revisions and so forth. Ideally, students will start at the bottom learning all facets of the company so they can work for and run the company.

Watson said that he regularly receives phone calls from employers who need workers wanting to partner with Goochland.

Watson introduced two seniors, Bayleigh Allen and Ben McCray who are dong apprenticeships.

Allen did hers with Poole & Poole architects in Innsbrook. "This experience was nothing but beneficial.  I felt like I had a real job." She learned about different specialties within the firm and participated in a job site walk. Allen's senior project focuses on the new Goochland elementary school and how the design of a school can influence learning. Allen said the work experience made her feel more confident about her decision to study architecture in college.

Ben McCray is doing an apprenticeship with a welding shop every other day. He began last summer and continued during the school years. The shop is a very small facility that handle a wide range of projects. McCray worked on many of them.  He likes alternating between school and work but is undecided about what comes next in his life.

"I don't really know what I want to do after high school," McRay said. "I do like that I have the option to go straight into a welding job or get more certification. If at the end of the year, I hate welding, it's no loss. Whatever happens here, I have options going forward. I like having that base but not being locked into anything."

Local businessman Stan Corn said that number one thing employers need are people who are ready and able to work. "That's the most important thing you can teach these kids."

Both Allen and McCray said their apprenticeships opened their eyes about the realties of putting in a full day's productive work "It teaches you how to work a full eight-hour day in a really hot warehouse in the middle of the summer," said McCray.

Watson said that Ben McCray, as a third grader at Byrd Elementary was responsible for getting the WWBT channel 12 in Goochland County.

Go to ttps://www.goochlandschools.org/page/work-based-learning for more information.