EMP LOYERS !!

PATHFINDER REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Are you looking for conscientious, skilled, and knowledgeable employees for your organization? For over 40 years Pathfinder has been preparing students for entry level employment. If your employment needs are in any of the following areas, we would appreciate an appointment to discuss the possibility of placing a student within your business.

Technical Areas Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing Automotive Technology Carpentry Cosmetology Culinary Arts Drafting Electricity Electronics Health Assisting Heating, Ventilation, A/C & Refrigeration Horticulture Hospitality Machine Tool Technology Office Technology Programming & Web Design

Administration Dr. Gerald L. Paist Superintendent-Director Mary Jane Rickson Assistant Superintendent Nicole Heroux Director of Pupil Services Eric Duda Vocational Director Anthony Papuga Assistant Director Nicholas Jorge Technology Director EAD 8/2014

Pathfinder RVTHS 240 Sykes Street Palmer, MA 01069

District Members: Belchertown · Granby · Hardwick · Monson New Braintree · Oakham · Palmer · Ware · Warren

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM (Employer Brochure)

Eric Duda, Vocational Director 413-283-9701 x200 E-mail: [email protected]

C OOPE RAT IVE E DUCAT IO N The Cooperative Education Program features off-

campus paid work experiences for students with equal opportunity employers. Seniors and juniors* meeting the school's and employer's requirements, work on an alternating week basis. The student receives full course credit while gaining valuable true work experience. The program, a unique and legislated component of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School educational programs, provides the school and business community to develop long-lasting partnerships. The co-op experience is a reward to those students who demonstrate positive attitudes, good attendance and better than average marks in both technical and academic classes. A recommendation from the technical instructors in a prospective student's career area must accompany their application for co-op. Approval from the Vocational Director is also required. * Juniors become eligible half way through the school year.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS You will be employing a:  Safety conscious worker, as shop safety is taught and reinforced everyday in the school.  A student that has earned the privilege to participate in the program will have 1000 hours minimum of actual training.  A student that has been appropriately trained by licensed professionals on industry specific equipment .

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES The employer agrees to:  Provide a safe and healthy work environment.  Assist in the development and provide a work experience as outlined in the Work-Based Learning Plan.  Have the student work the hours equal to the school’s schedule, usually 30 hours (5 day week), as a minimum. Start and end times do not have to match with the school’s schedule.  Follow all state and federal labor laws* as they apply for 16 and 17 year old students. They limit work to a maximum of 48 hours, 6 days per week, and no more than 9 hours per day (between 6:00AM and 10:00PM on school days). The type of work a student performs may also be limited*.  Pay the student at a rate commensurate with your company’s policy.  Provide the school with a Certificate of Worker Compensation Insurance.  Be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and non-discriminatory in hiring and recruitment practices (Chapter 622, TITLE IX, and SECTION 504 of the REHABILITATION ACT).  Agree to have any employee supervising the student undergo a CORI check (criminal records check) as required by state law.  Evaluate the student on a weekly basis.

FACTS ABOUT THE PROGRAM Federal and State laws allow 16 and 17 year old students, enrolled in voc-tech schools, to participate in the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Program. Those students are allowed to work with equipment normally considered hazardous*. The agreement requires that:  The "work of the student-learner shall be incidental to his or her training, shall be intermittent and for short periods of time, and shall be under the direct and close supervision of a qualified and experienced person."  Safety instruction given in the school shall be integrated with on-the-job training.

KEY BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM Employers:  Save on wage and benefit costs.  Provides candidates for full time employment after graduation. Allows the students to:  Expand their capabilities and confidence.  Gain experience for their Career Planners.  Gain insight into daily business operations.  Build necessary social skills for the work place.  Enhance their "hands-on" work experiences in the "world-of-work".  Realize the importance of team work and punctuality.

 Have periodic meetings with the Vocational Director to review the student’s progress.

Wish to learn more? Please contact:

 Complete a state required Work-Based Learning Plan evaluation ~ 2 to 4 times per year.

Eric Duda, Vocational Director 413-283-9701 x200

 A student with parental involvement in his or her educational program.

E-mail: [email protected]

 A student that has proven to be responsible and cooperative towards both adults and peers.

Visit the school’s website at:

 A student that has been taught the responsibility of handling sensitive and confidential material. (clerical/computer)

www.pathfindertech.org

* See Vocational Director for more information