Vocational Training Goals
All vocational supervisors have the primary responsibility of providing supervision and training to the students and clients. Vocational Supervisors assist students in their efforts to attain the following goals:
The Vocational Training Goals for all of our students are:
- To develop to the fullest extent those social, emotional, physical and vocational abilities which are fundamental for successful placement in the work area.
- To develop the understanding of the significance of work and its usefulness to the student and to the community.
- To achieve a maximum level of productivity.
- To develop the motivation to become a contributing member of society by attaining the greatest level of independence possible.
- To receive the practical vocational experiences which will assist the student in making the transition from the School to the community.
- To develop appropriate work habits and attitudes necessary to gain and sustain employment.
In addition, each student also has individual goals on which they are working. It is the responsibility of the Vocational Coordinators to ensure that the site supervisors are provided with this information. It is the responsibility of the Vocational Supervisors to familiarize themselves with each student’s individual goals, and to work with the student toward meeting these goals.
Vocational Site Descriptions:
The Benedictine School utilizes a variety of on-campus vocational programs. The following is a brief description of each program's focus. Each program area utilizes a checklist for evaluation purposes which gives amore complete listing of skills taught in each program area.
The Industrial Training Center
Contracts
The Industrial Training Center (I.T.C.) offers a workshop environment which provides training in repetitive assembling and packaging job tasks utilizing contract work from community businesses. It provides a highly supervised setting in which basic vocational skills are continuously emphasized along with the learning of particular skills required to work on a given contract. Since the contracts vary, so do the skills required to perform them. Many tasks are modified to meet the students' abilities, in order that they may participate successfully.
The Graphic Arts Department
Screen Printing, Print Shop and Embroidery
The Graphic Arts Department offers a screen-printing program in which students/clients who are more capable are able to assist with the printing of a multitude of objects, from baseball hats to umbrellas.
The Print Shop utilizes the risograph machine which is used to print paper and envelopes in six colors. Job finishing consists of collating and folding (by hand and by machine), perforation, and pad making. Book binding, sorting, assembling, packaging, and labeling are also among the variety of tasks performed in the Print Shop.
The Embroidery Department offers a program in which students/clients who are more capable are able to assist in the making of the products. The products include: jackets, shirts and hats.
The Greenhouse
Students in the Greenhouse training program are trained to carry out a variety of tasks related to; making deliveries to the school and the community, the planting and care of plants, the creation of floral arrangements, and the making of ceramic planters and other decorations. The focus in the Greenhouse program is to familiarize the students with the types of skills necessary to be employed by a greenhouse, floral shop or related industry.
The Laundry
The Laundry provides training in those skills essential for a student to learn in order to be employable by a large scale or industrial laundry. Students/clients receive instruction in a variety of areas depending upon their individual skill level. In addition, some of the tasks learned in the laundry are those which will enhance the students’/clients’ independent living skills, i.e. the ability to sort, wash, and dry and fold clothing, sheets and towels.
"Busy Bee" Indoor Maintenance
The Busy Bee is the Indoor Maintenance vocational training program. Based on teaching basic janitorial skills, the goal of this program is to train students/clients in the skills necessary for attaining a job which requires basic cleaning and janitorial abilities. Students/clients in this program are trained in a variety of settings on the school grounds. As in the laundry, some of the tasks learned in this vocational program will also enhance the students' independent living skills, specifically, those required in basic housekeeping, i.e. dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, etc.
The Car Wash
The car wash training program focuses on the particular skills needed to thoroughly clean both the interior and the exterior of an automobile. Its goal is to acquaint the students/clients with the different materials and procedures required to wash a car or other motor vehicle, and how to utilize them properly. This training may equip a student with the skills necessary to be employed in a commercial car wash or similar industry.
Food Service
The Food Service training program is designed to teach an individual the skills appropriate for work in a cafeteria, restaurant or industrial kitchen. Each student in this program is exposed to hands-on work in food preparation, use of kitchen appliances, as appropriate and proper hygiene and sanitation practices for both before and after meal processes. Again, some of the skills learned in this area will also be beneficial in the development of independent living skills.
General/Grounds Maintenance
Students/clients in this area receive training and experience under the direct supervision of the Maintenance Supervisor. They are instructed in a variety of tasks related to general building maintenance, such as assisting in minor repairs in the dorm and classroom areas, painting, when appropriate, and repair and/or installation of simple equipment and furnishings. Students learn to work with a variety of hand tools, and when appropriate, power tools and equipment. Students may also work in the garage to learn basic automotive tasks such as tire rotations, oil changes, etc.
Library
Students assigned to the School Library assist the Librarian in a number of ways. Each of the bookshelves are checked to ensure that all books are properly categorized. When patrons return library materials the student assistant is responsible for inserting the circulation card and returning these materials to their proper place. Labels are replaced on books, tapes, and cassettes when needed. Student assistants can offer to help locate materials if a patron should ask.
Healthy Way Café
The Healthy Way Café is a student-operated luncheonette for staff and visitors to the school. Students learn food prep, cooking, cashier skills, clean up, menu planning and grocery shopping. The students also learn social skills, cooperative work with peers and responsibility for their area of work. The students cater special luncheons on school grounds. Additionally, the staff get terrific lunches which have been prepared by our students!
S.T.A.R.S (Structured Teaching Approach to Readiness Skills)
Based on a variety of models, including the TEACCH method of instruction for children with autism, the S.T.A.R.S vocational program is designed to provide maximum structure and simplicity to the vocational tasks. It is based on utilizing visual systems to increase student self-direction and self- reliance. Visual systems may include object, photograph and symbol systems and are complemented by tactile and auditory stimuli, if needed. Each work station is set up to provide work in a left-right, top-bottom format. Materials are presented in small quantities so as to not overwhelm the student. This also enables the students to practice requesting more materials and reporting when a job is "finished". Some students are able to utilize this teaching method and eventually move into a larger workshop setting without these supports. Some students will require this level of structure throughout their vocational careers.