Words and Images by Marla Price
What career path will you take when you graduate from high school? For students in Winston County, that question just got a little easier.
The Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop recently visited the Winston Career Academy and the Haleyville Center of Technology, providing sophomores, juniors, and seniors a glimpse into a variety of in-demand careers. Funded by the Alabama State Department of Education, Be Pro Be Proud Alabama is a game-changer for career and technical education (CTE), demonstrating to high school students the benefits of being a part of a skilled workforce.
The mobile workshop contains 12 hands-on simulations in the industries of construction, transportation, manufacturing, utility work, and health care. Virtual reality headsets were used in the forklift, welding, and lineman bucket scenarios, providing students with a more realistic experience.
Be Pro Be Proud partners with Spevco to build the mobile workshop, which is a large semi-trailer with two slide-outs. Small groups of students rotated through the mobile workshop throughout the day, giving all of them a chance to gain greater career awareness.
Ben Brugge with Be Pro Be Proud provided an overview to each group, stating that the project’s purpose is to introduce students to different technical professions. He also said that while a traditional four-year degree is an option for students, other career pathways and high-demand professions are available.
“If there’s a high demand, you can get paid more money for the job,” Brugge said.
He also stated that acquiring skills early can lead to better job prospects and career readiness, especially due to an aging workforce in several technical fields. “It’s never too early to start thinking about careers. Take advantage of dual enrollment. Take advantage of getting those credentials, certificates, and skills,” he said.
Be Pro Be Proud was launched in Arkansas in 2016 and has now expanded to seven states. A former career coach, Ben has worked with Be Pro Be Proud for six years, with most of that time spent in South Carolina. Alabama’s mobile workshop became fully operational in the spring of this year, visiting school districts as well as making numerous stops at state educational conferences. It was at one of these conferences that personnel from both Winston County and Haleyville saw the mobile workshop and requested a visit.
Lynne Comeens, one of Winston County’s career coaches, said that the hands-on nature of the mobile workshop is outstanding. “CTE is supposed to be about what I can touch and do, as a student,” she said.
Comeens also indicated that Be Pro Be Proud is one of the most interactive CTE experiences she has ever witnessed.
Lynne and Garrett McCurley, Winston County’s second career coach, have plans to bring the mobile workshop back for all eighth grade and freshman students as they work on their four-year educational plans. Katelyn Bell, Haleyville’s career coach, has also put in a request for a second visit, specifically for all freshman students. Jessica Barton, counselor with the Haleyville Center of Technology, expressed how positive the experience is for students, as they maneuvered through simulations.
To maximize the simulation experience, Be Pro Be Proud provides a leadership opportunity for seven students to serve as Most Valuable Pros, or MVPs. These students work as station assistants, helping lead their peers through the simulations. Slade Odom was the MVP for Haleyville’s truck driving simulator, and he stated how fun it was to help others while also participating in the simulation. “We got here pretty early to learn our station, and even though it was kind of challenging at first, we’ve had a good time,” Odom said.
CTE directors for each school district were also instrumental in providing this event for their students. Adam Gray, CTE Director for Winston County Schools, conveyed his thoughts on the state’s plans for a second mobile workshop, stating that the high quality of the equipment and simulations made students eager to learn more. Dr. Bill Bishop, CTE Director for Haleyville City Schools, expressed his appreciation for John McCullar, the principal at the Center of Technology, as well as to Ms. Bell for bringing this program to Haleyville’s students.
“It’s incredible that our students can have this experience,” Dr. Bishop stated. “We need plumbers, we need electricians, we need equipment operators. This program shows students the importance of all professions.” 67
