Program offers 'pathway' to careers

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A growing program in Indiana schools aims to engage students and help them find work in industries.

The program, known as College and Career Pathways, provides hands-on experience and vocational courses for students while they attend high school. In turn, students graduate high school with credits that can transfer to colleges, universities or trade schools and can receive a certification in their industry.

“That does a couple things for them,” said Doug Dillion, curriculum coordinator for the Vigo County School Corporation. “One, it lets them go straight into industry. Second, it actually makes it so they have an edge over other high school kids trying to get into a … program at Ivy Tech, ISU or IU.”

In Vigo County Schools, students have been participating in these programs since 2006, Dillion said, adding that students who participate in College and Career Pathways have a graduation rate around 96 percent.

Dillion said many of the industries which students can pursue are in desperate need of young, trained workers. Among them: welding, drafting, machine work.