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Friday, August 31

BENNINGTON — In addition to their high school diploma, students at Mount Anthony Union High School can receive a certificate that proves they're workforce ready — if they complete a rigorous program offered by the school-to-work department.

Students who enter the program will earn a Career and Workplace Certificate to show local businesses they have the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Peter Odierna, executive director of the Bennington County Industrial Corporation, said the first-year program will benefit both students and local businesses.

"Some of the feedback we've received over the years is that the kids that graduate from the high school aren't prepared to enter the workforce immediately," he said Thursday. "We took that opportunity to set up an interfaith program directly with MAUHS to not only recognize that it is an issue, but more importantly to come up with a solution."

Work place certificates, Odierna stressed that his corporation and the high school still push the students toward college. "The program is not in place of college," he said. "What we are hoping is kids will continue their education while working at the same time."

Many companies in the area offer tuition reimbursements for their employees, he added.

Elaine DeMasi, the director of the school-to-work program at MAUHS, said 12 students have signed up for the new program, and she is still awaiting more applications. Students start the certification process in ninth or tenth grade and have to complete a series of task before graduation.

To show proficiency in math and literacy, students have to achieve a certain score on the Measure Academic Progress tests, which are given to all MAUHS students. Local businesses such as Mack Molding Co., the Bank of Bennington and Dailey Construction, all potential placements for students, helped determine the math requirements needed for certification.

"I can't underscore how important it was to have the business community actively involved in this process since day one," Odierna said. The businesses students will be placed with have yet to be decided.

DeMasi said students will also meet with a professional advisor who will offer motivation and inspiration. Students must also take a computer skills test. A personal math course is also required to teach students about paychecks and other work-related finances.

"A lot of businesses are going to be waiting for these kids to graduate so students can start working for them full time," DeMasi said.

A soft skills component is also required of students. DeMasi defined soft skills as attendance, work ethic, teamwork, initiative, attitude and critical thinking skills, all skills she believes are needed to succeed in a work environment.

To go along with the academic qualifications, students will need to gain actual work experience through field study and co-op placement programs in the summer and after school. DeMasi said it is beneficial for students to learn what life is like in specific professions at a young age.

"I had one girl in here who always wanted to be a veterinarian, but she started doing work-study in an office and learned she couldn't take putting animals to sleep," she said. "It helps students make the right decision before they spend a lot of money on training and college."

The field study programs will be supplemented by weekly journals chronicaling their experiences, time sheets, an essay, a presentation and a portfolio submission. DeMasi said field study is a great program.

Students agreed. "It's the best class I've ever had," said Gus Fagerholm, a school-to-work student at MAU with Air Now, a Bennington based air-cargo company. "I got to learn more about the aeronautical aspects of flying and got a much better sense of the profession."

Odierna said he think the program will have a positive impact on the local economy. "It will have a meaningful impact. Companies will be able to identify kids who can immediately go into the labor market at value," he said. "The goal is to enhance the quality and quantity of new job applicants coming into the market."

DeMasi said the program will give students a better idea of a work plan, a plan they may not have had before entering the program.

"We want to instill in students the process of bettering oneself," she said. "We want to get them ready to move up from an entry level position to a higher one."

In addition, 27 other MAU students are involved in some sort of work-study program.