LOWER LAKE — Skills for the real world are being taught at Lower Lake High School (LLHS). Great success and opportunity are foreseen in the Konocti Career Technical Academy (KCTA) program, which incorporates real world needs into lessons aimed at real world success.
The KCTA provides students with opportunities to gain skills and hands-on experience in several vocational trades. Skills-based curriculum is being offered in industries including construction, automotive, welding and culinary arts. Students are gaining education in their desired fields followed by opportunities to apply those skills in tangible, hands-on projects, some of which present profitable ends.
“This year is where we are really putting together an academy-type setting,” Konocti Unified Superintendent Dr. Bill MacDougall said. “As programs like this are being cut from schools because of finances, we”ve determined that they are crucial to the future of our students and their employment needs.”
Development of the KCTA included a collaborative effort between the school and numerous professionals leading industries locally. The idea of the program is to design curriculum that meets the needs of local employers. Students engaged in academy courses have an opportunity to gain certification and/or transferable college credits.
“The vast majority of all jobs available are skills-based, which means you need certification, especially if you want to get a living wage,” Dr. MacDougall said.
“We contacted several local contractors and a lot of their skilled workforce comes from out-of-county. We”d like to build our own workforce,” McAttee, a volunteer program consultant said. “We want to match our training with the needs of our employers so we can employ our own.”
The KCTA utilizes the input of an advisory committee comprised of area professionals. “The advisory committee provides feedback to the program to ensure the skills taught are what employers want,” McAtee said. “Employers should have input into our training so we can match their needs.”
First and foremost, students are being instilled with proper work ethics. A total of 17 universal core values have been identified as attributes desired by employers. Those values include avoiding absenteeism; being on time; appropriate grooming, hygiene and attitude; spoken and written communication skills; willingness to work and being productive; integrity and honesty; use of appropriate language; reading and understanding written language; being respectful and working well with others; taking ownership and responsibility for ones own work; job safety; respect for tools and equipment; computer/Internet skills; team work and conflict resolution; basic math application; willingness to work beyond job description and customer service skills.
“A lot of programs don”t hit the mark because they don”t take all these seriously,” McAtee said.
KCTA leaders are continuing to identify avenues for profitable ventures that will help finance respective academy courses. Field tests are currently being conducted on campus. “Most products are made on school sites for school sites,” MacDougall said. “Before we bring products to the consumer we are making sure all the necessities are in place.”
Culinary students are preparing and selling lunch to staff members and automotive students are offering services at $10 per hour. MacDougall said the district is still working with the City of Clearlake in developing a Memorandum of Understanding to provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on construction experience. Welders, he said, are looking at a product line of durable, steel planter boxes that may aid in the beautification of the city.
MacDougall said that the district had been awarded a $2 million grant for new technical facilities but in light of the state”s budget crisis, the funds were rescinded. “Now we”re looking for new ways to create facilities within the financial abilities of the district at this time.”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
