“What do you want to do with your life?” This is a question that everyone hears from a young age, and in high school, it becomes something that is asked on a daily basis. For most kids here at Hempfield Area, they take the traditional path. Graduate from high school, go to college, and get a job. For a large number of students here at Hempfield Area the traditional path is not one that they follow. For them, graduation will mean going right into the workforce. Where they not only follow a path, but a passion.
Vo-tech offers up to 19 programs including construction, cosmetology, sports medicine, landscaping, protective services, and more (list at bottom). This is an awesome alternative for any student in 10th through 12th grade who is looking into trade school. It costs nothing but time, and it is welcome to any student for any program. There are no restrictions as to what programs students are allowed to choose.
Although, for first-year tech students, they must go to AM tech, running from arrival at school until lunch time. For second-year tech students that didn’t switch programs, they go to PM tech which runs from lunch time to the end of the school day. Students are provided transportation by the school to and from tech. CWCTC is joined by ten other schools including Norwin, Penn Trafford, Mount Pleasant, Southmoreland, Yough, Jeannette, Greensburg Salem, Belle Vernon, Frazier, and, of course, Hempfield Area.
Most of the kids in the vo-tech program already have jobs relating to what they do in school. The opportunities available can really help students get a jump-start on a job. Hempfield also has seniors that do “co-op” where they can go to work instead of tech. Rather than going to tech for an afternoon, they are allowed to go to work (not to be confused with early release for work, because they are very different). “Co-op” is one of the things that vo-tech can help with along with many other things. It helps students find what truly interests them, and it can take the place of college for many, giving them a fun, hands-on alternative.
To most, it can look boring, but to these students, it’s hard work that they take high pride in. Vo-tech students love what they do and do what they love.
Landscaping & Agriculture
Aspiring Educators
Auto Collision
Auto Mechanics
Computer Information Sciences
Construction Trades
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Electrical Technology
Heath Occupations Technology
HVAC & Steamfitting
Multimedia Design Technology
Powerline
Protective Services
Restoration & Design
Robotics Engineering & Manufacturing
Service Occupations
Sports Medicine
Welding & Metal Fabrication
