WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
[Curriculum Checksheets]

The Workforce Education and Development major is designed to prepare someone already skilled in a trade or health area, or a graduate of a high school/vocational school, to become a teacher in a vocational-technical school, comprehensive high school, community college, and/or supervisor or administrator of vocational education. The major also has an Industrial Training option to prepare people to assist industry with their training needs and an Occupational Home Economics option for those who wish to teach occupational home economics such as child care. Some of the teaching subject specialists presented in vocational education are auto mechanics, masonry, heavy equipment operation and maintenance, carpentry, plumbing, nursing, food service, cosmetology, dental laboratory work, and medical laboratory work.

Vocational-technical education teachers usually work in vo-tech schools. Average starting salaries for graduates of this major are somewhat higher than the salaries of other beginning teachers because school districts often count years of training and occupational experiences in computing the salary of vo-tech teachers. The salary offered will depend upon the school district with which the student accepts employment and the area of specialization.

The current employment picture for graduates of the Workforce Education and Development major shows that they normally have a choice of jobs. It is expected that the future employment outlook will continue to be favorable because of the great emphasis on preparing students for industrial employment. The program at Penn State maintains data on the number of teachers who will be needed in certain skill areas based on retirement plans, the number of new schools expected to open, and the courses they will offer. Employment opportunities also exist as industrial trainers in a number of occupations. With the rapid change in technology, and industry constantly updating its equipment and processes, the demand for industrial training staff is growing tremendously. This area is expected to expand even more as technology and the requirements of industry expand.

Also, to enter the Workforce Education and Development major a student must have completed a formal training period in an industrial or health-related occupation. The training may have been received from a vocational-technical school, a community college, a private trade school, industry, or the armed services. The major also requires that the applicant have two years of work experience in his or her field of specialization beyond the learning period. If a student has completed the training period but has no work experience, it still may be possible to enter the major and complete work experience during the summer or other semesters. The work will be supervised and the student will earn credit. The program will take five years if a student combines work and study.

The Industrial Education, Health Occupations Education, and Occupational Home Economics options lead to the bachelor of science degree in Workforce Education and Development and a teaching certificate. This degree program requires the successful completion of both the learning period and work experience components of an occupation, as well as passing the Occupational Competency Assessment Examination. A bachelor of science degree is necessary to become a supervisor or director of vocational education or a chief administrator of a vocational school. Eventually, a master's degree must be earned in order to qualify for these areas of certification.

The non-certification Industrial Training option requires that a person complete a practicum experience working in an industrial setting. These experiences have been arranged, for the most part, within Pennsylvania, but there are several opportunities at industrial sites for out-of-state students who may wish to return to their home areas to fulfill this requirement.

The following is a representative sampling of occupational areas in which students may be certified upon completion of one of Penn State's Workforce Education and Development programs:

Industrial Education and the Occupational Home Economics options are for individuals who have an interest in qualifying for a trade and industrial teaching certificate in the areas listed above. For further information, contact Dr. Richard Walter at 814/865-2133.

The Health Occupations Option is for people who have an area of interest in health or related fields to become a teacher at a vocational-technical school or community college, or a trainer in a health care facility. This person must also have a background in an occupational specialty area. Depending on the specialty area, different certification routes are possible. For further information about the health occupations option, contact Janetta Grapperhaus, 301 Keller Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; or call 814/865-8363.

The Industrial Training Option is for students both in industrial education and health related areas, preparing them to work in industry/health care settings where technological updating information is needed. This option may be decided upon during the junior year where the undergraduate course emphasis then will be in the need for and requirements of trainers in industry/health care areas. For further information about the training option, contact Dr. William Rothwell, 315 Keller Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; or call 814/863-2581.