CATEC Professors Say More Students Turning to Vocational Jobs

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Updated: 10:34 AM May 27, 2010

More young people and adults in Charlottesville are looking to further their education. But their tools aren't books and pencils, they're hammers and hair gel. Students took to the stage at Charlottesville High Wednesday night as they graduated from CATEC.

Posted: 11:29 PM May 26, 2010
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: Jessica.Jaglois@newsplex.com

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May 26, 2010

Teachers at CATEC say in the current economic climate more people are turning to trade jobs in Charlottesville than ever before. They say the pay off from a vocational school is even better.

Almost 300 students took to the stage Wednesday night, accepting diplomas ranging from EMT Training to Music Industry Technology.

One area of interest getting a boost at the school is auto-body. Norm Cooper is the head of that department and says, he's had more students this year than ever before. That's because auto-body work is reliable and offers job security.

"There's a lot of money to be made in auto-body work," Cooper says. "The way Charlottesville is growing leaps and bounds, more vehicles need to be repaired. The money is there."

Not all those graduating from CATEC plan to use their degrees to start careers. Jolysa White will be studying Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University next year. She says her cosmetology degree will help pay for her 4-year education.

From the classroom to the salon and back again, White says she wouldn't be able to do it without her CATEC degree.

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