Students at West Central High School have a chance to try several careers on for size thanks to the corporation’s participation in the Indian Trails Vocational Cooperative. Superintendent Don Street says West Central shares resources with schools in White, Jasper and Newton Counties.
“We have students this year from North White School Corporation that are involved in our welding program and our health occupations program. We’ve had students as well in our drafting/CAD program, as well as our anatomy/physiology and athletic training courses as well.”
West Central students are also able to take courses offered at other sites within the cooperative.
Street says West Central students are also able to take courses offered at other sites within the cooperative. Twin Lakes offers building trades, and North White has a law enforcement academy. Students can also study automotive.
West Central offers welding and heath occupations. Street says both are very popular. Students who successfully complete the welding program are qualified enter the workforce upon graduation. Health occupations students have clinicals second semester, which give them an idea of what type of career they may want to pursue. For instance, someone who thinks they want to go into nursing may opt to be a medical technician instead. Additionally many of the medical technology courses offer college credit.
Street adds the sharing of resources and staff between several smaller corporations makes such opportunities possible. The arrangement has been in place for several years but was up for review and renewal by the school board.
