L2IC JOB WIRE

Work, Integrate, Resources, Employment

This year L2IC has support in the building for students learning English. Ms. Maria Allen, Spanish Teacher, and Mr. Kenneth Hedrick, ESOL Teacher, are working with multilingual students in the CTE programs at L2IC. The top photo highlights the multilingual students in CTE programs. Thank you to Ms. Allen for creating the board to showcase Hispanics Shaping the Future of L2IC!

Diversity in CTE classrooms mirrors real world of work and strengthens employability skills of all students to prepare for successful careers. "Diversity has been shown to boost creativity. When people come from different backgrounds, have a variety of life experiences, and see the world in unique ways, multiple perspectives are brought to the table to resolve issues. Teams outperform individuals when making decisions and that improves as diversity increases. Culturally diverse voices working together on a team are overall more efficient and successful."

Forbes 3 Benefits of Diversity In The Workplace by Ashley Stahl, Former Contributor. Updated Dec 21, 2021.

CTE is a solution to filling gaps in the workforce right here in Lexington County as well as our beautiful state of South Carolina. The professionals participating on the Associations Panel addressed current issues with the Midlands area schools representatives during the Career Connections Symposium presented by Midlands Education Business Alliance (MEBA) last month. The Association Panel included SC Asphalt Pavement Association, SC Automotive Dealers Association, Building Industries Association, SC Hospital Association and SC Manufacturers Alliance. The message was clear. We are facing a gap in workforce. The current employees are aging out and planning to retire. There is a critical shortage of skilled labor across all industries.

The skilled labor gap effects everyone. There are shortages in the current workforce from infrastructure of our roads, the electricity we rely on, the healthcare we depend on, to the very water we take for granted is safe to drink and everything in between. The phrase #bringbackthetrades is becoming more of a plea to high school students to take notice and learn a trade skill. CTE programs at L2IC are working for the future, to fill the gaps and provide skilled labor.

L2IC Firefighting CTE program completers leave with seven certification credentials following skills evaluations. There is much more than students being physcially fit to carry heavy equipment up ladders and use forcible entry into compromised building structures. The certications are earned following rigorous reviews and monitored work situations beside active professionals in the industry of Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, Firefighter 1 certification, First Aid/CPR/AED, National Incident Management, Vehicle Extrication and Firefighter 2 certificatoin in controlled educational environments. Program completers includes successfully completing Introduction to Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security.

Annual average firefighter salary in South Carolina varies from different regions, levels of education and years of experience working in the industry. The majority of salaries fall between $43,765 and $64,000 per year. The top firefighers in our state make $94,000 per year or more.

The following video is a glimpse of what it is like to be a firefighter answering a call.

© 2024 Indeed. Indeed.com/career/firefighter/salaries/SC.

Automotive Technology CTE program at L2IC is designed to prepare students for entry level maintenance and repair tasks careers. This program includes 1-4 classes each building on the other. Auto Tech increases the intensity of training in the fundamentals of engine repair, engine performance, and heat and air conditioning. These classes emphasive problem solving and teamwork as students prepare to graduate and enter a competitive job market. Students completing this program are expected to apply the skills learned in various scenarios and situations with Work Based Learning opportunities to continue to develop industry specific skills for successful employment.

The average entry-Level Automotive Technician starting salary in South Carolina varies dependent on size of city and skills level. Currently the average is $53,270 per year according to Talent.com.

This could be higher dependening on work experience, including Work Based Learning experiences, references, location, and work ethic. If you are you driven to work in this industry, the transferable skills open even more opportunities for successful careers within transportation, distribution, and logistics. There are technical colleges such as the Universal Technical Institute to advance your skill levels following completion of Automotive Technology CTE program at L2IC.

© 2024 Talent.com. Automotive Technician: Average Salary in South Carolina in 2024

All South Carolina high school juniors take the WIN Career Readiness Test. This test assesses four essential skill areas that align with the student's ability to perform complex tasks for a range of jobs. Each section is timed.

Applied Mathematics - 40 multiple choice items / Timed: 55 minutes

Locating Information - 38 multiple choice items / Timed: 55 minutes

Reading for Information - 26 multiple choice items / Timed: 55 minutes

Essential Soft Skills - 22 two-part (best & worse) & 17 one-part multiple choice items / Timed: 1 hr

The scores range from 3/bronze to 6/platinum. A student's score is determined by the lowest score. If student scores two 4's and one 3, the score overall is 3. The higher the score the broader the range of jobs. If a student scores 3 or higher on the WIN Ready to Work assessment, they are considered Career Ready for the SC High School Student Graduation Profile.

Students may practice and prepare for this assessment with online modules. Contact your home school's Career Specialist, Mrs. Doreen Sizemore at BCHS and Mr. Robert Davis at AHS, for more information.

If a student does not meet a minimum score of 3 or higher, he or she will need to retake the skills area below a 3/bronze again to be considered Career Ready using this assessment. There are other ways for a student to meet Career Readiness. See the Career Ready & College Ready chart below.

The following is parent guide to the WIN Career Readiness.

The South Carolina Career Ready Test. © 2024 South Carolina Department of Education.

The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate (PSCG) is a set of skills and characteristics that the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and other organizations believe high school graduates should have to be prepared for college or a career. Students may achieve these goals in one or more ways. The following shows the criteria to become career-ready and/or college-ready.

"Sixty percent of employers have dismissed workers who recently graduated from college and were hired this year, according to survey findings from Intelligent.com. Employers cited lack of professionalism, poor communication skills, low motivation and slow to take initiative on tasks as some of the reasons for the firings. 'Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack the practical, real-world experience and soft skills required to succeed in the work environment,' he wrote in the report.'"

Work Based Learning is hands-on experience on-site in the real world of work. L2IC high school students are developing these crucial soft skills in the CTE programs, as well as, connecting with employers on-site with WBL experiences. The Work Based Learning experience gained with completing a CTE program are the very skills needed to be hired, keep a job and be successfully employed.

SmartBrief on Workforce, copyright 2024 SmartBrief. September 26, 2024. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC. Full 7th floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. DailyMail.com Bosses are firing Gen Z workers in record time: 'Yeah, checks out' by Alice Wright For DailyMail.com. Published 25 September 2024.

Explore, Expand, Empower your future career with the following opportunities.

As Lexington Medical Center continues to build on excellence, we recognize the need to partner with L2IC to blend course work with real-life learning in order to prepare our future workforce in their career endeavors. The Job Shadow program is a work-based learning opportunity for high school students to guide, and prepare themselves to be successful in their selected cluster of study. Only two students may participate from each school on designated dates and once per school year. If you are interested in shadowing a healthcare professional, send an email to me, kplowden@lex2.org. The next dates available are December 3 and 4. For additional information, click here.

LMC Job Shadow Requests are due November 13 for December dates.

Focus on Your Future Friday is a virtual program designed to provide educators, students and parents with an introduction to employers and topics related to college and career readiness. This specific program will provide an overview of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Midlands Technical College and how students can become a part of the program.

Re-scheduled to Friday, October 18 @ 10:00 AM

Medical laboratory technicians provide a wide range of information for physicians to use in diagnosis and treatment. Technicians work in clinical settings under the supervision of medical laboratory scientists and pathologists and are required to perform precise tests and procedures to guarantee accurate information for patient care. Technicians analyze body fluids, isolate and identify microorganisms, study blood components, perform pre-transfusion tests, and determine disease-related immune responses.

Registration (May need to copy and paste link into browser):

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AD9pqB8QTVyVd25HSLVCfQ

Program will be recorded and available on MEBA'sWebinars Events Recording webpage.

Focus on Your Future Friday is a virtual program designed to provide educators, students and parents with an introduction to employers and topics related to college and career readiness.

Re-scheduled to Friday, October 25 @ 10:00 AM

As Forbes magazine’s top Large Employers in America in the automotive industry for 2023, Michelin prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. This enables Michelin to better serve customers while continuing to compete in an ever-changing global marketplace. Michelin understands that when customers trust in their brand, they not only value the excellence of their products and services, they also believe in Michelin’s dedication to our employees and commitment to their communities. This virtual program will focus on the women of Michelin, highlighting their career pathways and providing young women with insight on how they can prepare for a career at Michelin.

Registration (may need to copy and paste link into browser):

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZHpF2wBLSB6BaSCBoYOdXg

Program will be recorded and available on MEBA'sWebinars Events Recording webpage.

SCRWA has developed a pre-apprenticeship opportunity for high school students. This opportunity is set up so students can work up to 10 hours weekly and begin online learning modules to work towards water treatment certifications, all while attending high school. If you have students interested in this opportunity, please have them register using the link below. The coalition has also developed a "Pre-apprenticeship Link Tree" where you can access the online pre-apprenticeship application form and related information, website for SC Rural Water Association, Apprenticeship H2O, and other resources. L2IC students interested and needing assistance, reach out via email at kplowden@lex2.org.

Student Pre-Apprenticeship Registration: https://forms.gle/9KC8NuYUkGDu4wuP8

Pre-Apprenticeship Linktree: https://linktr.ee/scrwapreapp

W. P. Law, Inc. offers work base learning experiences (WBL) for interested high school students. They are more than landscaping supplies. This family owned business designs, creates and installs beautiful fountains, irrigation systems for farms, as well as create stunning spaces for outdoor living. W.P Law, Inc. is ready and willing to offer WBL experiences in all departments from Accounting, Marketing, Technical Support, Systems Automation, Operations, Sales and Fountains. L2IC students interested in learning more through a WBL experience, reach out to me via email, kplowden@lex2.org or visit me next to the L2IC office.

The CPD's Explorer Program is dedicated to the success, training, and overall aptitude of the youth within its ranks. The Explorer Program consists of young adults between the ages of 14-20 years old, who are looking to make a career in law enforcement. Please use the following link to learn more. L2IC looking for assistance, email kplowden@lex2.org.

https://columbiapd.net/explorer-program/

There are many advantages to seasonal employment. "Employers pay competitive wages in order to attract and keep the additional workers over the holidays. Seasonal employment builds connections within a new company or new industry. Building connections can lead to many opportunities and career advancements can come from knowing the right people. From coworkers to supervisors, each one is a connection that could pay off down the road. Your knowledge and work ethic could lead to stellar recommendations and job tips. A strong performance can even lead to the company offering you a full-time position after your seasonal contract ends and following graduation. Seasonal jobs are a good way to test drive a new industry, field of work or company before making a commitment. At the end of the day, extra money can represent a healthy addition to your bank account."

Pros and Cons of Taking on Seasonal Work. Upwork. © 2015 - 2024 Upwork® Global Inc.

While out visiting your regular haunts take notice of the many different Now Hiring, Text to Apply, Join Our Team and many more signs posted to recruit workers. Many companies offer benefits to attract seasonal employees. You may be eligible for discounts on clothing, free meals during shift and more. The work schedule is generally flexible with plenty of opportunity to work more hours and earn more money. If you have a strong work ethic, demonstrate motivation to work while working well with others, employers may extend an opportunity for ongoing employment. There are many local employers in need of workers, including Target, Chick Fil A and Amazon to name a few. Keep your eyes open to help wanted signs and build your resume, apply for seasonal work.

Now is the time to start applying for seasonal holiday positions. Before initiating an online application, gather needed documents. This includes a written resume and letters of recommendation.

Write a resume with work experiences, community service projects, student organizations, sports and/or any other extracurricular activities in school and community. Make certain it is grammatically correct with consistent formatting.

For the letters of recommendations, ask two teachers, coaches, community members or neighbors that have known you to write a letter of recommendation in reference to your character and work ethic.

When you have a written resume, then initiate the online application. Read through the information and questions completely. Answer all questions honestly with correct grammar. Once you have submitted the application, follow up in person to the store manager. Remember to dress to impress.

The Career Specialist at your home school is available to assist with writing resumes, completing online applications, prepping for interviews and more.

Mrs. Doreen Sizemore, BCHS Career Specialist, dsizemore@lex2.org.

Mr. Robert Davis, AHS Career Specialist, robdavis@lex2.org.

Mrs. Kimberly Plowden, L2IC Work Based Learning Coordinator, kplowden@lex2.org.

ACTE and NASA HUNCH are excited to host the 2024–25 student video challenge. This year’s theme: “What is Artemis?” This annual video contest offers students the opportunity to showcase the application of CTE and project-based learning programs in high-demand career fields on Earth and in space. The contest is open to students of all ages, including elementary, middle school, high school and postsecondary students and any student who is homeschooled. Submit a two-minute video by April 1. LEARN MORE

ACTE, https://www.acteonline.org/video-challenge/. ©2024, Association for Career & Technical Education® (ACTE®).