Welcome to the
Central Technical
and Sidney Johnson
Vocational Centers

Occupational Education offers an ideal opportunity for students to experience the complete cycle of learning. Theory and information are accessed, interpreted, and used to create a product. This real world product is then tested, modified, evaluated and put to use. In many cases, final products are marketed or utilized in real settings which provides students with an authentic assessment of their work. Students emerge from this process with a portfolio of examples that stand as testament to their achievements. The portfolio provides references to each student's continued development toward their career goals.

Occupational Education has changed its focus from preparing students for specific jobs to broader career development identified in the Learning Standards for Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS). Our primary goal is to lead students through a sequential process of career development that will enable them to succeed in the future workplace. This multifaceted charge requires instruction in the following areas:

• the technical knowledge and skills that provide a solid base for transition into post secondary career development through employment, training, and continued education;
• the application and development of the academic knowledge and skills related to the career area of the curriculum;
• the skills, competencies, interpersonal behaviors needed in the use of technology, human and physical resources necessary for continued career development;
• the reinforcement of academic skills in English/Language Arts and Mathematics to assist students in reaching the New York State Commencement Standards and successfully completing state assessments.

Occupational Education also reflects our responsibility to provide learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of our learners. This includes strategies to support our learner's styles, career interests and readiness. Program courses have been designed from the very basic introduction to advanced level college credited learning.

Occupational Education prepares students for careers. Our programs must, therefore, reflect the employment opportunities, requirements, and practices within each career area.

To help ensure that the goals of Central Technical and Sidney Johnson Vocational Center programs support and promote the personal goals of each student, a career development component is established in each course of study. This is designed to develop each student's knowledge and skills in self assessment, career research investigation, decision making and career planning. This component includes instruction and learning activities in such things as occupational and personal assessments, career research, informational interviewing and investigations, resume writing, the application process and procedures, portfolio creation, and the summer and after school internships.

Our Career Education support staff plans with teachers and business/industry partners to implement these activities that culminate in the activation of a career plan that transitions the student into the next step (post secondary education, training, employment) of their career development.