Vo-tech students try hand at non-traditional occupations
Sparks flew around Melony Reid of New Salem, creating a colorful image as she performed a welding assignment at Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School in Georges Township. The 16-year-old junior from Uniontown Area Senior High School was dressed in protective gear – including a full mask – and appeared very confident in her work. This is Reid’s second year in the welding program, which she became interested in after talking with her father.
“It seemed like a good idea,’ Reid said, noting she likes “cutting things and putting everything together.’
Instructor Fred Oravets said, “She demonstrates a real natural ability at this.’
Reid is one of several students at the vo-tech who are studying nontraditional careers, a phrase that refers to jobs typically filled by one gender.
The state Department of Education’s Web site explains nontraditional occupations are those for which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed. Examples are males in nursing and child-care and females in technologies and plumbing.
“Promoting nontraditional career opportunities opens for every individual,’ the Web site noted. “It breaks the mold of expectations and allows all learners to explore a wide range of career opportunities in an atmosphere free from stereotypes of gender and jobs. Women are more often the focus of nontraditional programs because the opportunity to earn higher wages exists in occupations that are commonly nontraditional for women.’
This semester, the vo-tech has nontraditional students in welding, diesel mechanics, health occupations, masonry and computer technology. Nontraditional students also have been in auto body, auto mechanics, carpentry, electricity, machine production and cosmetology.
While students study these fields because they are interested in the work, there also are employment benefits for nontraditional students.
Donna Heintz, learning support instructor, said, “There is more opportunity for nontraditional students to become employed in the field because of government equal opportunity standards. The government will look for how many females do you have or how many minorities in a particular industry or vice versa with a man in a typically female-based industry. For instance, in a typically male field like welding, if a company has a government job, they will be looking for a female so they can show they are meeting equal opportunity standards.’
Dr. Edward Jeffreys, executive director, said, “Because of government regulations, it’s made it very popular for students to choose non-traditional jobs for heightened employment. Have I had people call her for a female welder? Yes, I have.’
There are other factors that play into a student’s consideration of the vo-tech, including family and friends.
Jeffreys said, “I have brothers who encourage sisters to come. …The best salesperson we have is a student who had a good experience here.’
Students select their studies, however, because of their own interests.
Kelly Rippingale, 16, of Uniontown, is in her first year in diesel mechanics. A sophomore in the Uniontown Area School District, Rippingale said she talked about this choice when scheduling classes.
“I’ve always wanted to be a train engineer – drive them and work on them. They said this would be the best class,’ Rippingale said. “It’s fun. I’m learning new things like different measuring tools. You get to work on big engines. Some older kids just finished a tractor. It’s interesting to watch.’
“She’s willing to learn,” Joe Koposko, instructor in diesel mechanics, said of Rippingale. “She gets along good with her peers. She’s very willing to follow instructions and safety procedures.’
Jamie Balsinger, 17, of Farmington, and a junior at Uniontown Area School District, has been in computer technology for three years. She was the only female student to participate in a recent computer technology competition held at Westmoreland County Community College. Her team placed fifth.
“Typically, it’s been men in the field,’ said instructor Melanie Dean of this department where students learn to build, maintain and repair computers. “We’re starting to get more girls. I’d like to see more women in the field.’
“I’m really interested in computers – always was,’ said Balsinger. “I came for the tour and I saw they built computers and that interested me. I like building computers, Web pages and PowerPoint and to go to competition is fun – especially when I win.’
Balsinger was surprised to find she was the only female student at the WCCC competition but said, “There’s not many girls who want to do computer technology but I was proud that we placed.’
Sisters Jennifer and Montana Fisher are studying in the masonry department.
Their instructor, Terry Motchar, said, “They do all right. They can hold their own with a lot of the boys.’
Richard Fike is the only male student this semester in health occupations, which introduces students to a variety of careers.
“I want to be a family practitioner and I figured I’d start something in medicine,’ said Fike, 17, of Markleysburg, who is a junior at Uniontown Area High School and in his second year at the vo-tech. “I’m learning skills and technology. It’s interesting.’
Instructor Nancy Rossell said she has one or two nontraditional students each semester.
“This is a preface for any type of health care career, including pharmacy, nursing, medical transcriptions,” Rossell said. “There are over 200 different health-care careers.’
All the students are expected to perform to the best of their abilities.
“Our teachers don’t expect any less from nontraditional students. They work as part of the team,’ said Heintz. “The students don’t receive any special treatment here because they won’t in industry.’
There are many success stories. Instructors talk with pride about their students – their performance in class, test results and those who find employment in their fields.
And to each other, the students are just students.
Asked how he gets along with Rippingale, Darwin Pryce, 16, of Lake Lynn and a sophomore in the Albert Gallatin School District, said, “She’s just like anybody else.’
“It’s nice knowing there’s a girl out there who likes mechanics,’ said Donnie Travis, 17, of Point Marion, and a junior at Albert Gallatin, also is a student in diesel mechanics.
Danny Hall, 16, a student in the Uniontown Area School District, said of Reid, “We treat her like everyone else.’
Danielle Piper, 19, of Ronco and an Albert Gallatin student, said of having boys in health occupations, “I enjoy it because they can help you lift people.’
Jennifer Reaggle, 17, of Laurel Highlands School District and another student in health occupations, said, “It shows more people are interested in nursing.’
Perhaps the best endorsement of the programs come from the students themselves.
“It’s actually pretty fun in here. I plan on coming back next year,’ Rippingale said.