Salem High School

Salem, Missouri

Teacher: John Hendricks

 

Youth Apprenticeships

By Tasha Adamick

 

 Contra Costa County Regional Occupational Program in Contra Costa county California is a school-to-work program to help educate individuals about career opportunities and develop job skills.

           

The Regional Occupation Program, (ROP), courses are designed for people sixteen years of age or older with a junior or senior status.  There are also ROP programs for adults who are interested in upgrading skills or learning new skills. These programs are tuition free, open-entry, and accredited by the California State Department of Education. ROP’s courses are specialized classes in specified career fields. They are updated often and include the most in demand careers.  Courses these years include: Telecommunications, Internet & Web Page Publishing, Computer Graphics and Animation, Biotechnology, Cisco Network Certification, TV and Video Production, Sports Medicine, and Careers in Teaching. 

           

These courses are held either in a high school classroom or in a business to help the students develop the skills they need. These courses cover the academic, technical, and personal perspectives of the chosen career. The teachers are very helpful and up to date with the subjects they teach. Each year the teachers meet with industry representatives to keep the course material updated. The teachers also plan career speakers, part-time jobs for the students, field trips, job shadows, and internship opportunities. 

           

The Regional Occupation Program also is a way for students to “try-out” career fields before investing time and money in college or training.  If the students aren’t sure of their college major this may be a good way for them to decide. ROP can also get the students skills they need to work part-time to help pay for college expenses. The courses teach them to develop resumes, how to use effective interview techniques, and they identify sources of employment. In Contra Costa County they ROP is a very popular and successful program.  “In the past 23 years, over 150,000 students have completed ROP training. 80% are employed in related occupations or have continues with advanced training.” This year there are 7,000 Contra Costa County students enrolled in the program.

        

I believe a program such as ROP would be very useful and successful in Dent County and the surrounding area. Some of the high schools to include are Salem High School, Viburnum High School, and Rolla High School.  I feel the Chamber of Commerce in each of the cities named above could find out which businesses would be willing to participate in the program. Then the teachers who would be teaching the classes would go talk to someone at the businesses and find out the skills and qualities in demand for the available jobs. There could also be a board similar to the Meramac Regional Planning Commission which organizes construction plans, applies for grants, and plans community projects.             

 

If there were an ROP board, they could apply for grants to buy books and pay teachers.  This commission could also coordinate plans for out of school adults to get more training so they could better themselves and make more money. If this program would happen in Salem some businesses that should participate could include Alliant where students could learn to operate heavy equipment such as forklifts. Auto repair shops should also participate and educate students on fixing automobiles such as diesels so they could go to work at places like Alliant. This program should help students make more money also, due to their specialized training.  Programs such as these also make students more valuable when they want to leave Salem and find another job. Other businesses that should participate include Automated Business Systems where students could learn computer repair. Intercounty Electric Cooperative could participate and employ students who are interested in becoming electricians. 

 

I think a lot of businesses in Rolla could also be participants. Some businesses in Rolla include Cantex, construction companies, and billboard sign companies.

       

I feel a program such as this in our area could be a good asset and make people in our community more desirable employees. This program could also help people make more money whether they are still in school or are already in the workforce. The Contra Costa County program is a wonderful example and it is completely possible for it to happen in Salem. There are teachers here that are smart enough to teach the classes and I definitely believe there are interested students. This program and youth apprenticeships in general are wonderful things and would be an important asset in our community.   [Back]