Vocational programs are making a difference in Aurora High School

Vocational Programs are making a difference at Aurora High School. Allowing for new opportunity and future job preparation, these educational programs put students at an advantage. The Vocational program here is on the up rise, now allowing students to gain needed life skills.

In the past, students at Aurora High School have attended Cuyahoga Eastern Vocational Education Consortium located in Mayfield. Although they have a solid program, with many established programs, for many student the drive to Mayfield was inconvenient.

Creating a new vocational program through Aurora has allowed students to limit transportation and work through their own community. Mary Beth Heiman, the coordinator of Aurora High School’s vocational program states, “Vocational programs offer our students the authentic opportunity to gain a variety of skills while working close to home.”

Vocational programs at Aurora High School, vary for every attending student. Some students attend Heinen's, bagging groceries and working in the bakery. At Hiram Farm, students work on tending to animals, the garden, and doing crafts. Students also attend pre-career training at Independence Village, where one student uses a program on an IPAD to interview residents. They also attend Miller Preschool, helping out teachers and reading to children, and most familiar, The Greenmen Cafe.

Heimen states, “Students have gained many skills through working in the cafe every Friday morning.”

As the vocational program at Aurora High School continues to rise, students will continue to increase their opportunities and prepare for their future. Heiman says, "Students can seek gainful employment or volunteer opportunities after graduation. It provides them a close tie to their hometown of Aurora.”

Overall, the Aurora Vocational program is taking off, and is a useful tool to students who are looking towards a bright future.

Heiman hopes that, “By having job training opportunities and a job coach, students learn work and social skills while on the job in their community.”

By creating this program, Aurora High School has yet again allowed students to seize opportunity and look toward a bright future catering to students’ career aspirations.