Smorgasbord Of Skills Op en To Career Center Students

by Kathleen Cox-Schaeffer CREST HAVEN - Choosing a career can be a confusing decision. With a vast array of avenues open -^and his whole life before him, a Cape May County high school student may justifiably wonder Ivhat is the most satisfying path to

follow.

Law school, teaching, carpentry, commercial fishing? How does a teenager decide to what he will commit the rest of his

lifer

The decision is up to the individual, of course, but that decision will be put on a sounder basis by a unique new concept instituted at the Robert N. Toft Vocational Technical

A TASTE OF the future Is what students at the Robert N. Toft Vocational-Technical Center get at the new careers center. Students can try out a variety of occupations in the center’s unique curriculum.

educators in other parts of the country. Toft said. In addition to the program for ninth and tenth graders, a special employment orientation program has been developed for seventh and eighth graders with learning, emotional or other disabilitifli. Under the employment orientation program classes of less than 10 students are given the choice of exploring two shops devoted to their needs. By the time the Career Center students reach the 11 and 12th grades they are ready to choose an area of specialization from the regular Vo-Tech school's 23

Career Center, ^ _ The Career Center, which opened in September and was formally dedicated Nov. 16, offers students in the 9 and 10 grade the opportunity to test out their career inclinations by participating in a variety of trade

courses.

The 470 Career Center students choose from a selection of eight career shop “clusters”. In the course of a year students

clusters getting a taste of a variety of occupations such as auto mechanics, carpentry, media and communications, health, and service occupations. "The center was established primarily for ninth and tenth graders seeking a chance to explore careers and learn entry trade level skills.” Robert Toft, Vo-Tech Superintendent and center

All classes are kept smSTT for more individualized instruction with about 15, students per shop. Each student is exposed to no less than 36 occupations in a nine-week cycle. Toft said. "It's novel having students tasting a variety of career choices," he added. "A young man can go from mechanics to con-

MUA Investment Plan Said To Save $200,000

Ottyctioju^tp corn;, m unications. Not only are young men given the opportunity to experiment with different careers; young women can freely break down the barriers of traditionally male-oriented occupations by trying them out at the career center. “We stress that we don't want any sex stereo-typing in careers. Toft emphasized. The concept for the new $3.6 million Career Center was the brainchild of the Cape May County Career Council. Cape May County’s program is a model project that has captured the attention of

The Career Gatsunay just be at the fomrontdl a national trend. Toft explained. Americans are estimated to make career changes an average four times during their life, Toft said. "I think we got in on it in a real timely fashion.” “The history of the % country is telling us people are changing their jobs." * "At least if they havf an opportunity like the Career Center they can make a more intelligent choice,” Toft said. In a job market glutted with degreed professionals desperate for jobs, the skilled tradesmen is in great demand

Mccltanical occupations and construction are very popular programs at the school currently, Toft said. “Our emphasis is on the dignity of the working man. What we’re saying is the working man has just as much of a right to be proud as a doctor or a lawyer," Toft said. The school has a top job placement record, averaging about 85 percent placement with the majority in Cape May County, Toft said. "Our placement is good and it's always been good," he added. Placing women in traditional male-oriented jobs has not been all that difficult either, the superintendent said. "We have a pretty enviable record there too," he sard. And. Vo-Tech training doesn’t end in the 12 grade. Adult training is available during the day and in evening school for Cape May County residents, Toft explained. An estimated 1200 adults are currently enrolled in the evening program alone. The school has a 90 member faculty whose expertise spans every .occupation from hotelmotel management to marine environmental studies. The Career Center is one school that is indeed the school of life.

SWAINTON - A new financial management plan, designed to save over $200,000 in the next two years while taking advantage of high interest investments, was embraced in principle recently by the Cape May County Municipal Utilities

Authority.

Presented by representatives of E.F. Hutton Co. and J.B. Hanauer A Co., financial advisors to the MUA , the plan calls for the issuance of construction notes in the amount of $14.8 million. Since they are tax free notes, the Authority is expected to be able to borrow at eight to eight and one-half percent interest. According to Robert Jones, E. F. Hutton Co., the funds will then be invested in certificates of deposit for an expected twelve and one-hau percent Interest The

difference in interest rates will generate cash flows over the two year period of $2.3 million. Expenses will approximate $2.1 million, giving the MUA a positive net difference of $211,000. John Vinci, MUA Chairman, urged the Authority to adopt the plan saying, “It Is only to our advantage now because of the extraordinarily high C.D. rates forced up by the prime lending rate. Since we can borrow for so much less than we can invest, we should do It." Vinci explained the MUA needed to borrow the $14.8 million to pay for the construction of the Ocean City Region wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations and ocean outfall. “If Tjre did not take advantage of this recommended plan,” Vinci said, “we would incur interest costs of 1266,000 over the next two years. Added to the $211,000 we will make on the transaction, the MUA will

have a net benefit of $477,000.” In other action, the Cape May County MUA decided to pursue the hiring of special counsel to fight the federal Environmental Protection Agency in the Cape May Region, where the federal agency has dictated that no new sewer connections be made in flood prime areas even though the area b already sewered and

Recommended by John Mead, co-counsel , new law firm would » experienced in appearing before regulatory agencies. "We need counsel to be able to represent our members, the municipalities of Cape May County. The EPA, in adopting its policy prohibiting development, has heard arguments from some of the most prestigious law firms in Washington. The MUA must be just as well represented if litigation becomes necessary,” Mead declared.

GETTING READY Mary Lou Walters of the Lower Cape May Regional High School Art Department is shown putting the finishing touches on the scenery back drop for the 1980 Cape May County Junior Miss Pageant which will be held in Cape May Convention Hall Saturday, November 24, starting at 8 p.m. The Pageant theme for this year is “The Fifties” and is reflected in the back drop which represents over five weeks of work.