By Bethany Zell
Special to the Aroostook Republican
Jobs are hard to come by in today’s economy, but the Caribou Technology Center, located on the campus of Caribou High School, is going above and beyond to help prepare students for the seemingly dismal job market.
With hands-on skills and certifications that enable them to be “workplace ready” right out of high school, more and more students, even those on the college track, are making Caribou Technology Center classes a priority. “More than 92 percent of the students that come through the Tech Center’s programs go on to college,” shared Ralph Conroy, Caribou Technology Center director. “These programs give high school graduates an employable skill and also enable college-bound students something to fall back on in a time when employment is so unpredictable.
“We meet with eighth-graders and help them fill out a four-year planner to make room for these programs during their junior or senior years. It used to be the college prep path or tech classes. Now, students can have both,” Conroy continued.
The recent expansion of several CRTC programs demonstrates the growing demand of the students.
The Health and Medical Sciences program increased its capacity from 20 to 30 students per year this fall. This was accomplished by students agreeing to do clinical work at local health care facilities on Saturdays. They compensate for their Saturday “school day” by taking a day off during the traditional school week. When they complete the program, students are equipped with a CNA certification which is valid anywhere in the state of Maine.
A Culinary Arts program was added this fall as well. This program encompasses three periods a day and students graduate with a National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe certification. This comes on the heels of new licensing requirements which became effective in 2012. Each restaurant in the state of Maine must now have a certified food protection manager on staff. The ServSafe certification offered at the Technology Center qualifies students for that role and increases their employment options.
One of CRTC’s most popular offerings, according to Conroy, is the Criminal Justice program which serves 16 students per year. Currently, students completing this training can receive college credit if they continue on in criminal justice through Husson University, the University of Maine at Fort Kent or UMPI. Conroy explained that they were actively pursuing more college credit options for this program through other schools and the hope is to have Central Maine Community College as another option in the near future.
Students in Caribou are not the only ones who can take advantage of the programs offered at the Caribou Regional Technology Center. “We currently bus kids in from Easton, Presque Isle, Limestone, Fort Fairfield and Washburn for a half day either in the morning or afternoon,” explained Conroy.
The Center also offers programs in agriculture, food services, graphic arts, auto body repair, automotive technology, commercial drivers license, computer servicing, residential construction, marketing, welding and large equipment maintenance and operation. According to the RSU 39 website, 265 high school juniors and seniors currently attend CRTC classes.
Secondary school students interested in attending the Technology Center should contact their school’s guidance counselor for more information or to apply.
