IN HARD TIMES, VO-TECH SCHOOL MEETS CHALLENGE

During the recent economic downturn, the demand for training both employees and the jobless has grown. Hard times have spawned an employers' market. And that means both those employed and those seeking employment must work harder to maintain a competitive edge. The region is fortunate that the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School continues to meet this growing training challenge.

Although operating as part of the Cape Girardeau Public Schools, the vo-tech school has not limited itself to high school-aged students. That enrollment has leveled off at about 400.

But the real demand has come from adults who want to further their education or training. The school now reaches 9,000 adults annually through its night classes, post-secondary education, and customized training.

The need for increased training comes from good and bad influences. Plant closings swell the jobless roles. Plant expansions and equipment upgrades necessitate the need for training. The vocational school has answered the call in all these areas.

The school works with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the industries themselves. While most of their work has been with established industries, school officials have also assisted potential new businesses.

The course of training is typically established by the employer, but it's not limited to equipment skills alone. More workers are asking for upgrades in English, math, thinking skills, safety, and improved employee-employer relations.

The vocational school first began reaching out to local industries and businesses in the early 1970s. Procter and Gamble was one of the first clients. Training programs have grown every year since. Today, the school has provided training for the majority of major manufacturers in the region.

In fact, Director Gary Gilbert says the school is so busy teaching programs that there is little time to solicit new customers.

For example, the school provides all pre-employment training for the Dana Corp. and has taught more than 15 training programs at Procter and Gamble in the last 14 months. The school is also now providing training for Lee Rowan, to upgrade employee skills in a classroom setting.

The vocational school expertise is not limited to business and industry programs. A real growth area has also been the health field. Skilled health care employees are in high demand, and many of the vo-tech graduates are immediately placed in jobs.

Under Gilbert's leadership, the vocational-technical school has matured into a real asset to our community. During hard times, its value to both business and people continues to grow.