Moorpark schools strive to prepare students for work force
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Moorpark school officials are aiming to groom students for a work world that is continuously evolving.

"Our goal is to help students understand that what they're doing in school is relevant to their future career," said M o o r p a r k U n i f i e d School District Superintendent Ellen Smith.

Students can begin early on to explore their own aptitudes and interests and look for careers options that match their abilities without having to make a definite choice, Smith said.

Creig Nicks, principal at Chaparral Middle School, agreed. In addition to preparing students for postsecondary education, schools must also begin to get pupils ready for the workplace of the 21st century, he said.

It's important to consistently remind students that basic academic courses provide the necessary knowledge needed to enter the workforce, Nicks said. But without relevance, students are not likely to remember abstract topics, so the core academic courses must be put into the context of something they know or want, he said.

Young people must also be adaptable because most individuals entering the workforce today will change career paths several times during their adult lives, according to the International Center for Leadership Education. Data gathered by the center was used by Nicks, Community High Principal Gabino Aguirre, and Moorpark High Principal Kirk Miyashiro in a PowerPoint presentation during a recent school board meeting.

The work world is changing due to globalization, demographic trends and technological advances. Demand for a highlyskilled workforce is increasing. Statistics show that people enter the workforce later but they stay longer because their lifespan has increased and retirement age has been delayed.

About 70 percent of the skilled workforce will retire in the next 10 years and an influx of professional young people will be needed to make up for the loss. Only 12 percent of future jobs will be unskilled labor, according to statistics.

Within the next few decades, experts anticipate eight out of 10 jobs will require technical skills and nine out of 10 jobs will require education beyond high school.

G o v . A r n o l d Schwarzenegger, who grew up in Austria where there is a strong emphasis on apprenticeships and job preparedness for young people, is an advocate for career t e c h n i c a l education as a vital component of public education in California.

To expand apprenticeships, internships and training and provide additional professional development for teachers and counselors, the governor proposes to allocate money to build public and private partnerships.

Schools should integrate work skills into the curriculum so that students understand the entrepreneurial nature of the world, Smith said. Local school officials plan to increase opportunities for students to job shadow and gain work experience during their high school years, the superintendent said.

Career path guidance begins in the seventh grade and proceeds through the high school, Nicks said.

Moorpark high school students currently have the opportunity to take part in various Regional Occupational Programs offered at Moorpark High School. The high school also has two academies that focus on career choices in business and economics.

"As the state kicks off the Career Technical Education Standards there will be a push in the future to incorporate more school to career elements," said Miyashiro.

Students who wish to evaluate their career potentials should visit www.cacareerzone.org, a selfassessment Internet program that can help guide young people toward a fulfilling professional path.