MCPS High School seniors who will be attending the NRCC welding program sign certificates of commitment at the MCPS Work Ready Signing Day.
Montgomery County Public Schools held its first Work Ready Signing Day on Friday afternoon.
In partnership with the New River Community College and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, MCPS wanted to celebrate students who have chosen to go to work full or part time using skills and credentials earned while in high school.
Students who continue to develop those skills at a technical college were also recognized at the ceremony held at the MCPS Administration Building. Rick Weaver, supervisor of MCPS Career and Technical Education, explained the NRCC and MCCC partnership within the last two years developed into this day of student and program acknowledgment.
NRCC and MCPS have been active in offering dual enrollment course in the high schools. It gives students an opportunity to earn college credits in both academic and technical coursework.
Students gain experience with the rigor of college work and college faculty expectations while taking these courses during high school hours.
Upon successful completion of a DE course, students receive both high school credit towards graduation and college credit.
DE courses are made available to MCPS students at no cost to students. These DE offerings can accelerate a student’s college and technical skills while saving money pursing further education at colleges after graduation.
Two years ago, MCCC and MCPS began working to get MCPS acclaimed as a “Work Ready” school division. A “Work Ready” seal was created for high school graduation diplomas based on students work experience while in high school and the taking of a workforce readiness exam.
“MCPS high schools worked hard to identify those students to earn this seal to show the value of their work experience and skills,” Weaver said.
Weaver understood that the senior year of high school involved many difficult decisions on which path to take after graduation. Students’ pathways were based on interests and ability that probably started in middle school.
This path may not involve a four-year college. The MCPS has career and technical programs to facilitate student interests and abilities to work.
Work Ready Day along with a Certificate of Commitment was established to recognize what students have accomplished in MCPS and will accomplish in their chosen field. Cindy Rollison, chairperson of the MCCC Education Committee, said, “We celebrate with students. We recognize that you do not have to go to college to get a good job. There are so many job opportunities needing a workforce with the skills learned in high school. These seniors are no ending their education while they learn every day to expand and use their skills. This helps your community.”
Another avenue for students to take after graduation is enlistment in the military. Rollison applauded the commitment students were making to military service in the armed forces. She said, “Military service offers unique skills that have begun to be needed in the local workforce.” The U.S. Army personnel explained that each student would be receiving over $140,000 in training in the next four years.
MCPS Superintendent Mark Miear thanked everyone for attending the signing event. He is assured that all MCPS students are prepped every day to go into the work forces and to become productive citizens.
He said appreciated the hard work of the students present and their willingness to continue their training. Miear, a former Marine, recognized the importance of military service to this country and community.
Over 60 students attended the Work Ready Signing Day. Students were called forward to a table by groups of study. Each student was given a certificate of commitment to a pledge to use the skills and work ethic learned in high school while being a productive member of his/her chosen profession.
Any employers and technical school representative along with their high school staff accompanied the students and also signed the certificate to promise to fully support the graduate’s endeavor to continue the development and knowledge towards being an effective member of the workforce.
The areas of technical skills recognized: military, child development and human services, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, culinary, cosmetology, audio, automotive, welding, nursing, dental hygiene, machining, engineering and automation technology, business management, law enforcement, information systems, and cyber security.
Weaver who is retiring in June after forty years working at MCPS thanked students, MCPS staff, parents, employers, college and technical representative for their attendance.
He hoped this Work Ready Signing Day tradition continues after this year.
