The Journal Register (Medina, NY)

Local News

July 10, 2009

EDUCATION: BOCES program helps youth pick career path

BY LISA BIELMEIER

Special to The Journal-Register

BOCES has been helping students in the community to choose a career path for many years. Every summer, the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center plays host to dozens of area teens who are not old enough to get a summer job, but want to start getting skills and thinking about their futures. The program is called VELS, which stands for Vocational Exploration and Life Skills, and is funded by the Orleans County Job Development Agency. Students get paid minimum wage for the 20 hours a week they participate.

“Participants are chosen by certain criteria laid out by the Orleans County Job Development Agency,” said Program Coordinator Paul Dewey. “They have to apply and be interview to be selected. Being involved in this program teaches students life skills and what it is like to actually be working in the real world.”

This year, students are learning about electricity and electronics, health careers, computer technology and customer service and automotive trades.

“Classes focus on hands-on projects during the week,” Dewey said.

“In the electricity and electronics program, I want to open students’ eyes to that career possibility,” said teacher Bill Leggett. “The students will work with residential wiring, but the focus will be on electronics. They will be making a digital dice device and they will learn skills like accuracy and discipline while building the circuit board using hand and power tools. It requires precise measurements, as well as attention to safety. Students will learn to plan their work, think ahead and solve problems as they go.”

Automotive teacher Jeff Keller will focus on customer service complaints with the students.

“We will be using a team approach to show the students how proper diagnosis and attention to detail can reduce customer complaints,” Keller said. “Students will be challenged to troubleshoot and identify common automotive complaints such as tire balance, tread wear, ignition and braking problems.”

“Students will be put in groups to work on activities such as first aid and daily patient care in my program,” said Health Care teacher Dawn Pisarski. “They will be checking blood pressure, doing research on nutritional programs and keeping a dietary log.”

The four-week program also focuses on leadership activities and learning job-related information, such as career potential, payroll deductions and ways to conduct themselves in a professional manner when at a work site.

“VELS plants a seed about the value of a good education in helping to secure a solid career,” Dewey said. “This opens their eyes to some options they may have not thought about, and when they are eligible to start working, has given them the tools they need to impress an employer. It is a great program.”

Text Only
Local News
  • theater 3.jpg Giving new life to the Diana

     

    An effort that started four years ago is now nearing completion to get the marquee and the lights turned back on and the curtain raised for a new multi-purpose community entertainment center usage for the historic Diana theater building.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120206 WIne 1 RAW.JPG Nothing to wine about

     

    The third time was the charm for Wine About Winter, which brought hundreds of residents and visitors to downtown businesses and organizations and showcased a variety of local wines Saturday.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • Stop and Shop opens

     

    The East Center Street Stop ‘N Shop is one of 27 Medina businesses hosting wine tastings Saturday during Wine About Winter, and the new store will offer much more when customers come back to shop.

    February 3, 2012

  • 120203 Thurber RAW.JPG Showcase event

     

    Wine About Winter, which is being held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, brings hundreds of residents and visitors into downtown Medina, but local stores aren’t they only area businesses being showcased this weekend.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Uniform Processing uses technology to help lenders, borrowers reach alternatives.

    An Albion company uses computer technology to help clear up confusing mortgage transactions.

    February 2, 2012

  • Parties nominate in Albion contests

     

    The Albion Democratic and Republican party caucuses held meetings to nominate candidates for two positions on the village board Tuesday, but the evening ended with only two candidates and some disappointment in the lack of interest in local government.

    February 1, 2012

  • Local leaders have power lunch

     

    Business owners and elected officials gathered Friday at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon to discuss the current business climate and look ahead to the legislation that could help or hinder the local economy.

    January 30, 2012

  • Prepared patriots

     

    At mobilization ceremonies across the state this weekend, hundreds of servicemen from the Army National Guard were cheered on their way to training for a possible overseas deployment.

    January 30, 2012

  • A church’s rebirth

     

    The members of the Medina United Methodist Church plan to celebrate the rebirth of their community at this year’s Easter Mass, which church leaders said could be held at the partially constructed facility that will soon be the church’s home.

    January 27, 2012

  • Legislature OKs terms for property sale

     

    The Orleans County Legislature approved a set of terms Wednesday on the proposed sale of a vacant Medina property that was once a Jubilee grocery store to Zor Inc., a holding company affiliated with Evans Ace Hardware.

    January 26, 2012

Featured Ads
House Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Front page
Seasonal Content
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Photo of the Day
Royal Wedding Live