With changes affecting society today, unique new business needs, and revised public school graduation requirements, both schools and business have been prompted to seek alternative methods to educate and prepare students for the world of work. In order to provide varying opportunities for selecting their career pathway choices, alternative school -to-career programs may benefit students' needs.
Students may enroll in the Diversified Career Occupations (DOC) Program during the 11th and 12th grade according to their school district's policy guidelines. Usually, the employment opportunity is in an occupational area not offered at LCTI and may or may not be related from school for half days to work with mentors from area businesses. The employer is required to provide students with job training and skills by following an Occupational Training Plan in cooperation with LCTI. LCTI provides a certified, professional school-to-career coordinator who is responsible to monitor job-site placements.Weekly classroom-related instruction, which is competency based, is done at the sending school. Students are formally evaluated and informally assessed to track progress and to assist them in improving job performance.
Competency-based, classroom meetings and instruction is scheduled with the LCTI coordinator at the student's high school. Students are formally evaluated and assessed by both the employer and LCTI coordinator each marking period.
Diversified Career Occupations Program is aimed to assist students with financial, domestic, or scholastic problems and may also allow students to prepare for college and enter the workforce earlier. This flexibility provides for career pathway alternatives to meet the changing needs of students in Lehigh County.
Some area businesses that have worked with DCO students include:
Animal Clinics Automotive Supply
Building Maintenance Construction
Discount Stores Entertainment
Fast Food Chains Furniture Stores
Grocery Stores Health Care
Law Offices Medical Offices
Mini Markets Municipal
Office Supply Stores Personal Care Facilities
Production School Districts
Warehousing
Many other unique approved job sites...
