TECH PREP: PROGRAM PUTS STUDENTS ON FAST TRACK TO CAREERS

High school students can get on a fast track to technical training through a new program at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School.

The program, "Tech-Prep," enables high school students to earn college credit in four vocations.

Judy Holshouser, a guidance and placement counselor at the Vo-Tech School, said students are able to enter the work force at the completion of any of three stages in the program -- at the end of high school, junior college or undergraduate studies.

"There are so many positions open that do not require a four-year degree and that need students graduating with technical skills," Holshouser said. "We selected four programs to begin with, and we will add others as we go along and the needs are established."

The free program allows students to take from six to 24 college credits while learning a technical trade. At the vo-tech level, it's a two-year program

Students then can either enroll in another two-year program at the junior college or university level. Completion of a third two-year program enables students to earn an undergraduate degree.

"We all know there are a lot of high school students who, when you inquire what they're going to do after high school, say they're going to go to college, period," Holshouser said. "But when you ask what they're going to take, you get a blank look. They go a year and quit, and they still can't do anything in the work force.

"We want to get people into this program that can give them the training so that at whatever level they decide to go into the work force they're going to have some training that will enable them to get a job," she said.

Holshouser said 25 students are enrolled in the program, which requires completion of prerequisite classes. Because the program's new, many student who wanted in were denied because they hadn't taken the proper classes, she said.

She anticipates that as people become aware of the program more students will qualify.

The program provides training in modern office technology, computer technology, offset printing and automotive technology.

"When they get done, they'll be entering entry-level positions -- being able to operate the equipment and do the tasks required in the various fields," Holshouser said.

Students who qualify for the junior college program often can earn a university degree after only three years. That's because all the credits, whether from vo-tech or junior college classes, transfer through the program.

Holshouser said students who complete the program shouldn't have any difficulty finding a job because Tech-Prep was designed to meet needs of area employers.

"There is a huge demand from employers right now," she said. "It's getting so drastic that we have an agency from St. Louis wanting students we have trained in electronics locally.

"They've got to have some kind of background because employers no longer can afford to train their workers," Holshouser said. "This program is aimed at moving them in at any point without training."

Completion of the various stages of the program will determine the level at which the student wants to enter the work force.

"You can move into the work force after completion of any of the three steps," Holshouser said. "It's basically just a matter of how high you want to start. This gives you the first step, and it's up to you whether you will continue up the ladder or across it."

Students participating in the inaugural year come from Cape Girardeau Central and Notre Dame high schools, Leopold, Advance and Scott City.

Holshouser said Tech-Prep is an effort to meet the growing demands for technical skills in the work place. The program was started so "we could stop these kids from slipping through the cracks," she said.

"We're not saying that you must make a career decision, but we are saying that you should have something for a plan, that when you're in ninth grade you're at least thinking about your options."