Real-World Readiness Students Receive Occupational Training At Spokane Skills Center

Josh Hames said there’s a profound difference between high school and the Spokane Skills Center in North Spokane.

“I don’t think of this as school,” he said. “You can’t sleep in here.”

Hames, a senior at Jantsch, is like most of the high school students in chef Bill Allen’s classes. They’re quite eager to share what they’ve learned.

“I’m back for my second year, and I love it,” Hames said.

Located at 4141 N. Regal, the Spokane Area ProfessionalTechnical Skills Center is part of the public school system operating as an extension of 32 area high schools. Its purpose is to provide students with professional and technical skills.

Roughly 700 students in Spokane County attend half their day at the center and the other half at their home school.

The programs at the skill center provide an inexpensive way to provide quality occupational training that would be too pricey at every high school, said assistant director Don Howell.

“This is a real gold mine,” Howell said. “We’ve got students here ranging from special education to the honor roll.”

The center is 18 years old, but Howell said a lot of parents and students still don’t know vocational education is available.

“We’ve got 700 students, but we have the potential for a lot more,” he said.

The skills center operates as a cooperative of nine area school districts: Cheney, Deer Park, Mead, Medical Lake, Nine Mile Falls, Spokane and Central, East and West Valley.

Home and private school students are welcome.

The center is governed by an administrative council comprised of the district superintendents. Participating districts maintain, equip and upgrade the center.

The center recently received a three-year $300,000 technology grant provided by the districts.

Juniors and seniors with a minimum of six credits who are 16 years of age are eligible to attend.

Automotive, communications, computer, construction, engineering and manufacturing, health and human services, hospitality and food service vocations are available.

All programs have a lab fee for materials and supplies ranging from $10 to $50.

Students can register for the center through their counselor. Classes run three periods a day and students earn 1 credits.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s most recent report of graduates centers on the class of 1996. Fifty-six percent of the grads are employed both part time and full time; another 35 percent are working and attending a two- or four-year college; 6 percent are at a two-year college; 2 percent are at a four-year college; and 4 percent are in the military.

Allen, who students simply call “Chef,” is quick to point out that the skills center is a complement to the students’ academic foundation; not a replacement.

“We want them to apply these skills to their curriculum,” he said. “By being in here, the hope is they will want to learn because they can see what they can do with it. This isn’t for special, needy or dropout kids.”

Last year, more kids enrolled in chef training than any other class offered. Culinary students learn to make food and their ingredients from scratch.

“I like it a lot,” said Lewis and Clark senior Kevin Corcoran. “It’s great, as long as you stay on Chef’s good side,” he said with a laugh.

Allen, a member of the Professional Chef’s Association, has taught at the Skills Center for 15 years. He said the job has provided him with many rewards.

“I could have made more money in private industry, but the time I have been able to spend with these kids, as well as my own, just can’t be replaced.”

Meanwhile, Hames is thankful for Allen’s presence.

“I had dyslexia and I’ve always been a slow reader,” he said. “But I’ve always loved cooking. Once I got in here, then it made school mean something too me.”

FACILITY OFFERS VARIETY OF COURSES Here is a list of the 1998-99 course offerings available through the Spokane Skills Center. Automotive: Collision repair, electrical systems, engine performance, brake systems and suspension and steering. Communications: Printed graphics (includes print-ed certification, electronic imaging, press operator, photography, multimedia and interactive publishing), broadcasting, commercial art. Computers: Computer applications, Web authoring, network management, system administration. Construction: Residential construction, cabinetry, retail hardware and lumber sales, building maintenance, plumbing. Engineering: Industrial electronics, electronic concepts, robotics, machine technology, welding fabrication. Health and human services: Cosmetology, dental assisting, nursing assistant, medical office. Hospitality and food services: Chef training, baking/pastries, customer service, hospitality management, kitchen/bakery assistant.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Here is a list of the high schools that Skills Center students come from (compiled from enrollment in October, 1997). Bancroft: 2 Barker Center: 1 Central Valley: 60 Cheney: 39 Deer Park: 3 East Valley: 59 Ferris: 47 Freeman: 4 Harrington: 1 Jantsch: 22 Lakeside: 13 Lewis & Clark: 60 MAP: 1 Marion Heights: 1 Mead: 76 Mead Alternative: 1 Medical Lake: 12 Mount Spokane: 16 North Central: 28 Tekoa-Oakesdale: 9 REAL: 1 Rogers: 82 Shadle Park: 23 Spokane Valley: 12 Spokane Valley Contract: 10 University: 37 West Valley: 39 Gonzaga Prep: 2 Valley Christian: 1 Home Schooled: 6 Other: 13 Total: 681