One class full, another almost full, several around half-full and one showing only a single student enrolled so far; Administration gives optimistic report to Clarkdale Town Council on enrollment (as incentive all first semester CTE trades classes apparently tuition free)
Yavapai Community College has begun developing a Career and Technical Education trades training program in newly constructed CTE building cautiously. It is, as one might expect, a first-year, first-time work in progress.
As of July 16, the construction (plumbing) class is full (exact number unclear). The HVAC program has a total of 25 unfilled slots in its three courses that will accommodate 41 students (plus 10 more available from a wait list). The CNC Machine Operator’s course has only one student enrolled so far; it can accommodate 20 students. Enrollment numbers in the remaining courses is mixed with several around half-full.
The College has initiated instruction in the Integrated Systems Engineering Certificate by offering one of eight courses needed to obtain the Certificate. There was only one student enrolled so far in that program as of July 16.
At the Clarkdale Town Council meeting on July 13, the Administration sounded a hopeful note when it came to beginning CTE training in the new facility. Vice President of Community Relations and Student Development, Rodney Jenkins, told the Town Council that “we’ve done a phenomenal outreach along with a series of incentives to help students made a decision to enter into these trades. We almost went door to door [in addition] to our mailings and our letters.” He also said that “we are very targeted in our outreach.”
On current registration, Mr. Jenkins, reported was that “Most all of our classes in the Verde Valley Skills Center are almost full. A couple of them are full. Electrician, HVAC, Plumbing; there are maybe one or two seats left in those classes. We still have a month to go before classes start. To start out this way, when in the beginning I was very, very nervous; the community has responded very well.”
You may view a video clip of Mr. Jenkins remarks to the Town Council made July 13 below. You may also view below enrollment data as reported by the Community College as of July 16 in courses identified by the Blog as locating in the new Skills Center building as a part of the local trades education effort.
