CAPE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL WORKS WITH EYE TO FUTURE

When it comes to quality vocational education, there's no need to look far from home. The Cape Girardeau Public School District operates one of the finest vocational-technical facilities in the state.

Vocational Education Week seems a fitting time to recognize the local center for contributions to its students and the community.

A true indicator of any program's success is job placement. In many of the vo-tech courses - such as graphic arts, welding, nursing, and other health-field classes - there were more jobs than graduates to fill them, said Director Gary Gilbert.

Perhaps the secret to the vocational school's continued success is its ability to adapt with the changing times. It has kept abreast with new technologies and careers.

But as vo-tech teachers strive to create the classroom of the future, they have not forgotten the school's basic missions. It serves eight area high schools through a strong, secondary program. Enrollment has stabilized around 400, growing slightly the last few years.

Adult enrollment continues to build. Last year, the vo-tech school served some 6,000 adults, and Gilbert believes adult enrollment is up again this year. Particularly popular are job-improvement classes.

When area industries want to train new workers, they often turn to the vo-tech school. The school's customized training program has worked with 16 area companies in the last four years. In fact, a growing demand for this service may drive the school to expand its building or find another facility for its specialized training.

The school's mobile assessment center has helped teenagers and adults to better choose a successful career. That program serves students in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties.

As the demand for literacy grows in this country, programs such as Adult Basic Education will become increasingly significant. The Cape Girardeau vo-tech program serves about 1,200 adults, many of whom are working toward their GED.

The vocational school continues on the cutting edge of technology and curriculum although funding hasn't kept pace. The success can be attributed to the vocational school's professional and highly motivated staff.

In a era where there is an increasing need for highly skilled, trained workers, Cape's vo-tech school is charting a path toward helping to meet that need.

By doing so, it's putting its mark of success on the future.