At Western Area Career and Technology Center( WACTC), students begin by completing at least three semesters of coursework, ideally starting in tenth grade. If they start in tenth grade, they can enter a co-op as early as January of eleventh grade and continue working throughout twelfth grade. The center offers education in many fields, including auto mechanics and collision repair, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, health occupations, masonry and many others.

After three semesters, students can find a co-op through several methods. Kim Anderson, the center’ s co-op coordinator, encourages students to work over the summer in their field, which can help facilitate a seamless co-op placement. Based on the students’ interests and employers’

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needs, Anderson matches students with employers. Their instructors can also leverage connections from their industries and recommend students for co-ops. Potential employers can even tour the school and talk to students. Students undergo an interview process to secure their placement. After that, they are ready to start their paid co-op.

“ Once they start working through their co-ops, it’ s almost like there’ s no bringing them back,” Anderson said.“ They’ re earning money and learning.” Co-ops focus on students building job experience and having experiences in real-world settings outside of the classroom. As students learn more at their co-op, they typically gain more independence within their jobs. Anderson says she sees them gain confidence in their skills and themselves— maintaining better eye contact, answering questions thoroughly and building strong relationships through meaningful conversations with coworkers and mentors. Their work not only enhances their technical skills but also their soft skills, making them well-rounded and prepared for the workforce.

Anderson supplements what the students learn in their jobs with other

valuable career-oriented lessons, teaching them essential skills such as reading a pay stub, writing a resume and cover letter, understanding taxes and modeling exceptional job-site etiquette.

The career center organized a signing day to celebrate students attending college, accepting full-time job offers or entering the military. The celebratory pride could be felt throughout the event as students and families reflected on their time at WACTC and acknowledged their bright futures. Anderson expects the career center’ s programs and employment offerings to expand rapidly in the coming years; she shared that many new companies are interested in taking on students.

“ Western Area gave me the opportunity to learn more, make new friends and be in a different environment to help me grow,” Brenda, a senior from Canon-McMillan High School in Western Area’ s cosmetology program, shared at the signing day.“ Joining the co-op program also grew that opportunity. I learned a lot of new skills and was able to take those skills and further my education.”