As area schools resurrect vocational programs, the supply of qualified instructors drops
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:45 AM PST
By Janine Manny
Printable version
E-mail this articleLen Robison, 55, retired from full-time teaching at Rainier High School two years ago, but he stayed as Rainier's part-time athletic director and wood shop teacher.
Rainier School District Superintendent Michael Carter worries about the day Robison will retire for good.
It's a concern other area schools have about vocational education programs, as demand for such teachers grows and the supply dwindles.
"It's going to be difficult to replace him," Carter said of Robison. "When we looked at this two years ago, there were only seven woods industrial arts teachers that graduated in the whole state of Oregon. Three of them didn't go into education. School districts are having an unbelievably hard time finding these kinds of teachers."
For years, budget cuts and attitudes that focused on college-bound students saw the end of many high school technical and vocational programs.
"Now we've come full circle," Robison said. "Schools are resurrecting these programs to help students. Not all students want to spend four to six years in college."
Robison said a lot of students start college then leave for technical training or careers.
"The reality is that there is a need for more technical training programs for construction, metal working and pipefitters," he said. "These are developed skills, and it's our duty to expose students to opportunities at the high school level."
Robison said with a good start, many students are able to get two years of apprenticeship or training at a technical school and get good jobs at good wages.
"I've got to hand it to Rainier to have the vision to maintain vocational programs," Robison said.
Ann Rinck, 19, is one of the Rainier students who saw the benefit of "hands on" classes.
A 2005 graduate, she is in her second year at Portland Community College, where she is in the Design, Build and Remodel construction program.
"Wood shop classes really helped me in high school," she said. "I took shop for four years and got experience with tools and building. I loved building furniture and Robison is the one who encouraged me to expand on that."
Robison also steered her toward construction management, which is her goal in the long run. Right now, her classes are giving her experience out in the field.
"I love working with my hands," she said. "That's the whole idea of these classes. There is nothing like a wood shop class where you design and build something from scratch. It gives you a real sense of accomplishment."
Rinck said vocational classes are also a good choice for students who might struggle in academic classes.
"Shop classes can give them a place to excel," she said.
Gregory Thompson, associate professor of ag education at OSU, said the higher demand for career and technical education teachers is creating a shortage.
"I hope colleges gear up and produce more career and technical education programs," he said. ""There are not many programs teaching woods, metals and automotive that are actually preparing teachers."
Thompson said one way to meet the challenge is using an alternative method of licensing called "Professional Technical Licensing."
"If you could find an excellent automotive repair person, and that person can work with kids, the school can get a Professional Technical License and use that person," he said. "It's not the best way to create a teacher, but it can help take care of the shortage and keep programs up and running."
The same holds true for Washington schools -- where vocational programs are called Career and Technical Education.
"There is definitely a shortage," said Ron Yauchee, the Longview School District's director of student learning. "The real challenge is that people with these skills are sought after in the private sector and industry. Not only are the salaries higher, you also need a calling to work with kids to become a teacher."
Training technical teachers is expensive for universities.
"Many of them have shut down, so there are fewer training programs available," Yauchee said.
The training is complicated, too. What used to be called Home Ed is now Family and Consumer Sciences. The teachers have to know health and fitness, healthy living and psychology so they can teach family and child development.
When a school district gets applicants for an opening, they have to act fast, Yauchee said. Most applicants are not local, and if you are too slow, they'll take a job somewhere else, he said.
"It's very competitive," he said. "There are many more openings than people to fill them."
Right now, the Longview School District is short a science and industry instructor to teach a computer-assisted drafting class.
"The teacher took a family leave," Yauchee said. "A replacement has to be highly trained with specific computer skills and technical certifications. There is no substitute pool -- it's and ongoing problem for all school districts."
Cindy Wardlow, the vocational director for Kelso High School, said many of the technical education teaching programs were almost eliminated from Central Washington University because of the high cost.
"They aren't producing a lot of graduates, and the demand is very high," she said. "We're concerned about it. We have three Family and Consumer Science teachers over 50 -- including myself. We're going to have positions to fill."
Wardlow said Kelso High School's auto shop teacher, Cory Torppa, had seven years of experience in the industry and a two-year degree from Lower Columbia College when he decided he wanted to teach his skills to students. He attended the Clark County Skill Center to get an industry certification.
"We're very fortunate to have him," she said. "There is enough of a demand he can work full time. Smaller schools might have to share teachers with other schools."
Wardlow said only about 17 percent of Kelso High School's students go on to four-year colleges.
"Twenty percent of jobs available require a four-year-degree," she said. "But 65 percent require training beyond high school. We need to give kids good skills and opportunities to be employable."
Wardlow said many of Kelso's vocational programs offer students college credit.
"In automotive, if a student has a 'B' average or better, that counts toward LCC's auto program, and students can skip the first year. This is a blue-collar community with hard workers. We need to think outside the box."
Past Month's Most Commented Stories