Vocational school

It's never been more important for high school students to determine what skills they will need for a successful career, and Cape Girardeau has some quality educational programs by which to attain those skills.

Between Southeast Missouri State University and the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education, among other institutions in the area, the educational needs of many students are being met. But there is another option: the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

The center offers 20 programs -- 18 of which can be offered as dual credit courses at Mineral Area College, Three Rivers College or Southeast Missouri State University -- to area juniors and seniors in high school. This fall students from 11 local school districts, three private schools, as well as homeschooled students are taking advantage of course offerings.

Based on the numbers, more students are seeing the value in taking vocational courses. Last year 418 high school students opted to take a course at the center, and this year the number of students reached 521. When you include all other students taking courses through the center, the number is more than 1,200, according to center director Rich Payne.

The center serves multiple purposes. Some high school students are determining what they want to do post-graduation. For these students the courses can give them a taste of what a certain career might be like. For others the opportunity to gain college credit while in high school is a major draw. Still others are looking for an immediate career, and the opportunity to gain skills they can immediately put to use is appealing.

Those in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding communities are fortunate to have such great institutions and programs close to home. Whether you're a high school student looking at career or precollege options or have graduated and are looking to gain a different skill, educational opportunities are available.