Twin Valley’s P3 Class Goes On the Road
Under the exceptional leadership of Twin Valley Instructor, Erin Lovett-Sherman, the Pipelines and Pathways course has taken off! One of the most important elements of career education is connecting students with real life opportunities. This includes field trips. The small but mighty class of four students have taken tours of Keene State, Greenfield Community College, and Vermont Technical College (part of VT State University).
P3 also brings real life into the classroom. Each student has identified a career pathway and has or will be participating in informational interviews with professionals connected to their chosen sector. Local business owner, Ed Metcalfe, visited the classroom to speak about entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Tracy Treadwell, from Bratleboro Memorial Hospital’s Human Resources Department spoke to one student about a career in nursing and entry-level careers she could pursue at BMH that could help take steps toward her goal with tuition reimbursement. Another student spoke with Scott McCally from First Vermont Robotics about their mentor-lead robotics competitions and how he could join a one of their teams and compete at the state and national level. “I don’t get excited about school too often, but this looks like something I could get excited about,” said the student.
Next week, Ashley Eaton from the Environmental Science Department at UVM will zoom in to talk to one student about a career in ecology and converse with all students about options for postsecondary study at UVM.
In the spring 2024 semester, the P3 course will hit a milestone at Twin Valley as it becomes no only a credit-bearing course, but a required course for all TV students. Two cohorts totaling eleven students will be a part of the class with even more college and worksite visits as well as job shadowing opportunities.
This model has worked well at Leland and Grey, where BDCC’s P3 has partnered with the administration and faculty to implement Senior Survival which includes a semester-long required course as part of a holistic approach that ensures every student graduates with a plan for their next steps towards their career and educational goals. P3 works with all four Windham High Schools, and the Career Center, creating customized action plans to enhance career education and awareness.
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides career education within the five southeastern Vermont public high schools. P3 helps students develop their personalized learning plans (PLP) through learning experiences to develop knowledge about career opportunities, and achieve their goals after graduation. Students develop soft skills, financial literacy, knowledge about economic sectors and skills in-demand through hands-on activities, work-based learning, and mentorships. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the region’s workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/engaging-with-high-school-students/
P3 was launched as a five year pilot, thanks to historic investment from the Vermont Community Foundation and McClure Foundation, the Vermont Training Program, WCEDP Vermont Yankee closure funds, and municipal contributions to SeVEDS. In 2023 P3 reached a major program milestone by commitments from the private sector. M&T Bank, whose support was matched by local employers G.S. Precision and C&S Wholesale Grocers joins funding partners McClure Foundation, the George W. Mergens Foundation, the Windham Regional Career Center and the West River Education District in supporting P3 across southeastern Vermont.
