Ten vocational-education programs have been named winners in the U.S Education Department’s Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Vocational Education Programs. It is the third year of the award program.
‘Hands-On Experience’
The programs were selected from each of the department’s 10 designated regional areas in the country. They were judged on the type of “hands-on experience” offered, the degree of cooperation between the schools and private sector, and their job-placement rate.
In announcing the awards last week, Robert M. Worthington, assistant secretary for vocational and adult education, said: “These programs offer opportunities for individuals to develop marketable skills in occupations where job opportunities exist, and these opportunities are made possible through the cooperation of the private sector. The end result is that both the private sector and the participants in the program are profiting from the effort.”
The winning programs include:
Region I, Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute, Auburn, Me., graphic-arts technology; Region II, New York City Public Schools, training-opportunities program; Region III, Newport News Public Schools, Va., secondary dental aide competency-based education; Region IV, St. John’s County School Board, St. Augustine, Fla., commercial foods and culinary arts; Region V, North Central Technical Institute, Wausau, Wis., laser technology; Region VI, Oklahoma State Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Stillwater, motorcycle mechanics; Region VII, Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Mo., word processing; Region VIII, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, Deadwood, S.D., special-needs vocational program; Region IX, San Mateo County, Burlingame, Calif., regional occupational program; and Region X, Walla Walla Community College, Washington, irrigational technology.
