RDGA MEETS, REPORT GIVEN ON VO-TECH PROGRAMS

Regional Commerce and Growth Association members met Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School to hear a report on efforts the school is making to adequately prepare its students for employment.

Educators at the school, including Director Harold Tilley, appealed to the businessmen at the meeting for help in suggesting what they look for in employees, which in turn can be included in the school's various programs.

Tilley said the school offers a wide range of programs for high school students, in addition to adults of the area. The programs cover everything from adult basic education to career assessment and help for "at-risk" students and those with special, individual instruction needs.

The school also offers a program specifically for single parents, Tilley said.

"The single parent is the fastest-growing segment of our society today," he said. "These individuals need a lot of assistance, support and help."

Some of the other programs offered at the Vo-Tech school include building trades and licensed practical nurse training.

"In our LPN program this year, we had over 400 applicants apply for 20 positions," Tilley said, indicating there's a large demand for vocational-technical training.

"The program is very much in demand," he said. "And our instructors do a very good job. Our pass rate for graduates who take the state exam is near 100 percent."

Tilley said it's important for business and Vo-Tech to cooperate, and the school has been able to supply "customized training" for several area industries.

"We've done a lot with partnerships, but more can be done in this area," he said.

Judy Holshouser, who's in the guidance and placement program at the school, told the RCGA members that the school ranks above the state and area in terms of placement of graduates in jobs related to their training.

She said that, typically, about 50 percent of the students end up in jobs directly related to their training, while another 15-20 percent choose either related military service or additional education.

Holshouser said the school plans to conduct a survey throughout the region to determine what specific skills employers are looking for in Vo-Tech graduates.

Other Vo-Tech instructors discussed their programs with the RCGA members.

In other business, Director Walt Wildman announced the RCGA's new officers: Ron McCulley, president; Carlton "Cotton" Meyer, vice president; Carol Long, treasurer; and Shirley Cooper, secretary.