Career Center gives focus to students

There are several things the Aiken County Career and Technology Center is not, said director Pat O'Neill.

It's not a traditional vocational school of a generation ago. It's not an alternative school where "all the bad kids go," he told Aiken Rotary Club members Monday.

"We've grown from 317 students two years ago to 421," O'Neill said. "We've got a graduation rate of 96 percent when the district and state are around 70 and 74 percent. We get our students involved in a particular program, and that's what keeps them in school."

Students attend the Career Center for morning or afternoon sessions and spend the remainder of the day at their home schools - mostly Midland Valley, Silver Bluff, South Aiken, Aiken High and North Augusta high schools. The students graduate from their home schools but also get a "completer" certificate from the Career Center. Students in some career areas earn state or even national licensing or certification when they finish the program.

The Career Center offers a variety of career-oriented fields - among them health science, CAD, automotive technology, welding, cosmetology, criminal justice, agriculture and more. One mother told O'Neill that her son had been shy and unsure of himself, but after enrolling in machine tools, he feels so much better about what he's doing.

"We've got English and U.S. history classes like any other school and are looking at pre-engineering classes in partnership with Aiken Technical College," said O'Neill. "Academics are important, but soft skills are important, too."

Once a week students attend a 30-minute session that emphasizes good writing and oral communication, finishing assignments on time, collaboration with others and taking pride and responsibility in their work.

On Wednesday, 13 exchange students from Germany will arrive for an exchange visit hosted by the Career Center. Thus far, approximately six Career Center students are set to visit Germany this summer. O'Neill is planning fundraisers to assist additional students in joining the group.

He encouraged Rotary members to get involved and informed about the Career Center and other Aiken County schools. They can provide job-shadowing, internships and can speak to students about their businesses and expectations for employees.

"We can use donations, too, not just money, but equipment," O'Neill said. "Someone stopped by and ended up giving us welding equipment. It was brand new to us, and it's fantastic."

For more information about the Career Center or scheduling tours during school hours, call 593-7300.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.