WCCC Preparing for the Future

The anticipation is building for all of us at the Warren County Career Center as we approach the start of another school year.  We are eager to welcome our new and returning high school and adult students.  The Warren County Career Center strives to provide a learning environment that is open and welcoming.  We want our students to develop the skills they will need to work with other people from all walks of life, to have career choices and to become good citizens.  

Enrollment in both the adult and high school programs continues to grow.  We have approximately 800 high school students enrolled at our main campus and another 800 enrolled in satellite programs located at our partner high schools.  Adult education full-time enrollment is also increasing resulting in waiting lists for programs such as our electrical line mechanic.  There are over 30 program offerings for 2009-2010 available to high school students.

Our focus at WCCC continues to be on preparing all of our students to meet the challenges of 21st Century careers.  Once a student completes one of our career technical programs their education can continue in many different ways.  Enrollment in college that leads to a degree is one way.  However, there are other means of learning after high school, including certificates combined with on the job training and apprenticeship.  Each of our career technical programs provides opportunities for our students to earn industry certifications that let employers know that they are among the best-qualified candidates. Many also have articulated college credits that are transferrable to area colleges which allow students to continue into a degree program in their chosen field of study.  We offer internships, externships and early placement opportunities to provide real world education for our students.

The number of our graduates who are entering either a two or four year college continues to grow.  Based on the results of our 2008 graduate survey over 58% of our high school graduates are enrolling in postsecondary education.  In an effort to better meet their needs this school year we are offering an elective foreign language course and a College Test Prep course for students planning on taking the ACT or SAT tests.

We also have dual credit course offerings in English and Math for those seniors who meet the qualifications.  Students can leave with up to five credits in English from Miami University and three credits of college math from Hocking College.  We also have expanded the number of career technical programs that are designated as Tech Prep resulting in more of our students being eligible for scholarships from Sinclair Community College through the Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium.

In October we will be combining our annual Advisory Committee Kick-off with recognition of our distinguished alumni.  Graduates of WCCC go on to do great things and make a difference in a variety of ways.  We are seeking nominations of graduates who have distinguished themselves personally and professionally and who have had a positive impact on their world for the WCCC Alumni Hall of Fame.  Nomination forms are available at mywccc.org or by contacting Peg Allen at 513-932-5677.

WCCC is working with the Jewell Education Foundation to sponsor our annual Golf Outing to benefit the WCCC student scholarship fund.  The Golf Outing will be held on September 12th at Heatherwoode Golf Course.  The cost is $85 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, and use of practice range, breakfast, drinks, lunch and door prizes.  Everyone is welcome to participate in this event which will directly benefit students.

 We are excited to open the doors to our new front entrance in late August, which will welcome visitors while also providing a safer and more secure environment for all our students and staff. We will be also offering some community programs in our new media center beginning this fall, and all are welcome to attend.  In response to the growth we have seen the past few years in enrollment we have also increased the size of our cafeteria and added additional classrooms.

 Our Adult Education Division is growing and offers part-time and full time programs in the areas of public safety, cosmetology, welding, heavy equipment, heating ventilation and air conditioning, medical assistant and pharmacy technician.  The new multi-skilled technician program is designed to meet the ever changing needs of the healthcare delivery system and will be offered at our south campus in Kings Mills.   Adult Basic Literacy classes are being offered in Lebanon, Franklin and Kings for those who want to prepare for the GED or to upgrade their basic academic skills.

 We know that there are many people in this county counting on us to help educate them for new career opportunities or who want to upgrade existing skills.   We value our partnerships we have with our associate schools and business and industry, and we are proud to have the opportunity to put our students a step ahead as they prepare for the workforce.  We want to continue to be a valuable resource to Warren County.