COFFEE HELPS LAUNCH 1992 VO-TECH WEEK

Barb Minor says she's grateful to the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School for helping her daughter find a good job as a stripper.

Today marks the beginning of American Vocational Education Week. An open house at the school, 301 N. Clark, is being held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. today.

Minor was among speakers at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee who spoke about their experiences with the vocational school.

Michele Minor, a graphic artist, completed the offset printing course at the vocational school and now works as a stripper in the printing department at Solar Press.

Barb Minor's other two children also have participated in programs offered at the vocational school.

"My son Nick doesn't get to use his auto body skills too often at work, but he likes to restore old Camaros," Minor said. "And Tina is a senior this year. The classes she is taking at the vocational school this year will count towards college because of an articulation agreement with Jefferson Junior College."

Tina is enrolled in office technology courses.

Minor said, "I too benefited from the vocational school." She has completed several computer courses.

Gary Gilbert, who has been director of the school for 27 years, said, "We've been in constant change. We've tried to do the thing the community, industry and business want us to do."

The school serves eight high schools. Gilbert said high school enrollment is about 400 students. "The number has been going down the past few years. But we get an awful lot of them back as adults."

In fact, last year the school served about 9,400 adults through its various programs.

"Our goal is vocational, occupational education," Gilbert said. "We are trying to train students for jobs in today's world."

He said instructors at the school must have occupational experience and must continue to update their own skills as the job market changes.

"We want our graduates to have the skills needed to get that first job and to be successful."

A vocational school graduate, Scott Stearns said, "I always had a dream to open my own greenhouse. The vocational school made that possible."

Stearns completed a two-year course in landscaping and horticulture at the school. "When I graduated from high school, I thought I needed to know more about the retail side of the business. The vocational school helped me get a job with Diebold's Orchards."

In 1991, Stearns opened Flower and Garden Shop in Jackson.

Kay Griffith said she always wanted to become a nurse, but wasn't sure she had the stuff to make it. She enrolled in a one-year licensed practical nursing program.

"I graduated on Friday and started work Monday at Southeast Hospital," she said. The confidence she gained in the vocational school urged her to pursue her goal. "In 1988, I graduated with a degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University."

Beth Dubrey Chaudoir's experience in a medical office through the office practice courses and Cooperative Education (COE) at the school helped her land a job in an orthodontist's office. She is now office manager for orthodontist Shanon Kirchhoff.

Ken Gilbert, Gary Gilbert's son, also spoke about his experiences at the school. "When I was in high school, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I should go to the vocational school."

Ken Gilbert now develops software packages for automating plants and equipment around the world. He works for Hilco Corp. in St. Louis.

"I thought I was interested in electronics, so I took those classes," he said. "When I graduated, I had the opportunity to go on to college, to the armed services or I could have stayed here and become an electrician."

His first job, through the vocational school, was as an electrician.

"That experience showed me the connection between a good education and good working habits," Gilbert said. "I was a step ahead of those in my field. Without that vocational education on my resume, I wouldn't be where I am today."