In today’s rapidly evolving world, the traditional path of attending college is no longer the only route to success. Trade school is the right path for many, and students can get a head start during high school by taking vo-tech courses.
DPSCD has two vocational technical (vo-tech) centers that teach specific skills in high-demand fields: Breithaupt and Randolph. They emphasize practical, real-world experience and they can be a faster route to the workforce.
Randolph counselor Stacy Jackson said vo-tech trains you for a career after high school and can give you credits that will transfer to some post-secondary schools.
“You leave with some kind of credential already ready for the workplace,” Jackson said.
You may even leave high school with a job.
Andre Melton, who teaches plumbing at Randolph, said one benefit of vo-tech is direct contact with employers that come looking for young tradesmen and tradeswomen to hire.
“There’s plenty of people that started careers right out of here – they didn’t even go to college – and in a few years, they’re making $100,000 a year,” Melton said.
Henry Ford HS senior Sterlin Saunders studies plumbing at Randolph. He was accepted to an internship that starts in June and pays $20/hour.
Senior Rodney McCroy said vo-tech is a great place with a lot of opportunities. He studies masonry and says he plans to open his own bricklaying business.
“I gotta’ say I genuinely feel happy that I acquired this trade, and I can’t wait to expand my skills,” McCroy said.
Northwestern senior Alex Hayden who takes automotive technology at Randolph said vo-tech is cooler than he expected.
“We get to work on real cars and learn how to fix them,” Hayden said. “It’s like being in a real-life video game, but with wrenches and engines.”
