Yuma, Arizona - Students now have the opportunity to obtain their Arizona Western College Occupational Certificate in Basic Carpentry while still in high school.
The final two courses necessary to earn the certification – Blueprint Reading for Construction and Concrete and Concrete Form Systems – are being offered to construction students at Kofa High School through an AWC pilot program. Students have previously had an opportunity to complete the first three dual-credit courses needed for the certification as well.
“This is the first time, in any Career and Technical Education field, that high school students have been able to earn an entire certification without ever having to come to the college,” said Reetika Dhawan, Dean of Career and Technical Education at AWC.
“Usually students begin taking college courses in high school and then they come to AWC to finish a certification. Now, they can complete their whole occupational certificate before graduating high school.”
Lorie Honeycutt, Career and Technical Education Director for the Yuma Union High School District, shared that the addition of these classes will give high school graduates the choice to begin their career, complete a college degree, or do both by working part-time and also going to college at AWC.
“We are all very excited to offer this new option to our students,” said Honeycutt. “The more opportunities we provide expands their options both in college and future careers.”
The hands-on, afterschool courses are available to students for $25 per credit hour as part of AWC’s Early College Experience for those 17 and under.
AWC is also planning to offer the certification classes to students at San Luis High School in the fall.