Fall Semester is in the Bag!
Above, Senior Survival (FlexPath) students participate in our Tie-the-Tie exercise that not only teaches a valuable practical lesson, but also touches on the importance of following directions, understanding one’s own learning style, and the importance of persistence and “grit” in the face of challenging tasks.
Students from Leland and Gray and Twin Valley High Schools just completed the fall semester’s Flexible Pathways to Postsecondary Success (FlexPath) course this January. Students learned about resume and cover letter writing, the importance of basic employability skills like punctuality and a positive attitude, participated in guest speaker Q&A’s, and finished up with informational interviews in their chosen sector. The FlexPath course is made possible through a collaboration between BDCC and the schools, using curriculum, training, staff support and modules provided through BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3).
Vail Resorts, Deerfield Valley Rescue, Vermont Department of Labor and Connect Me Capital were just a few of the presenters who visited Whitingham, while The Brattleboro Retreat, Welch Masonry, BDCC’s Instig8VT, and LE Environmental headed to Townshend. Two students who are graduating early interviewed with the HR Department at The Retreat and are already in the process of applying for open positions. As the school year wraps up, we’ll have more and more success stories like this to report! Now onto the spring semester!
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides employment oriented career-planning for the region’s high school students. It brings training in 21st Century skills, work-based learning, and personal learning plan (PLP) engagement opportunities to all four public high schools in Windham County. The program assists in developing workforce-oriented curricula, expanding classroom relationships, and growing work-based learning through opportunities with local employers. It also supports teachers working face to face with students to implement personal learning plans and seize the myriad opportunities presented by Vermont’s Flexible Pathways Initiative under Act 77. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/
Funding for P3 is provided by the McClure Foundation, Vermont Training Program, Vermont Community Foundation, the Windham County Economic Development Program, The Thomas Thompson Trust, the George W. Mergens Foundation, People’s United Bank, Tom Smith – Omega Optical, and the Whitney Blake Company in Bellows Falls.
