To meet the needs of the communities it serves, Paul D. Camp Community College participates in many collaborative programs. The Western Tidewater Tech Prep Consortium is a great example. In addition to PDCCC, the partners in this special initiative include the public school divisions of Franklin, Southampton, Isle of Wight and Suffolk.

Tech Prep is a Career and Technical program that combines a minimum of two years of secondary education with a minimum of two years of postsecondary education in a non-duplicative, sequential course of study with an emphasis on a common core of required proficiencies in communications and technologies, mathematics, reading, science, and writing.

Through a signed agreement between participating school divisions and Paul D. Camp, the program meets the following standards:

4Integration of academic and career and technical education;

4Utilization of work-based and worksite learning where appropriate and available;

4Attainment of academic standards developed by the state of Virginia;

4Provision for technical preparation in a career field (such as engineering technology, applied science, mechanical, industrial, or practical art or trade, health occupations, business or marketing);

4Linkage of secondary schools and the community college with a four-year university through non-duplicative sequences of courses in career fields;

4And linkage to certifications for appropriate employment or further education.

Tech Prep program options at PDCCC include administrative support technology, early childhood education, health sciences, industrial technology and marketing management.

Students enrolled in these programs take courses such as accounting, keyboarding, records management, machine transcription, computer information systems, desktop publishing/multimedia, web advertising, child development, life planning, nutrition/wellness, nursing skills, health/nursing assistant, pharmacology, architectural drawing/design, technology foundations and many other valuable technical courses.

While Tech Prep places a major focus on applied approaches, work-based experiences and certifications, students also complete rigorous academic studies in algebra, science, English, and social studies.

In addition to courses of study, the Western Tidewater Tech Prep Consortium sponsors various special events, such as the recent BIG Breakfast/Counselor’s Conference for business/industries and high school counselors, which focused on “A Winning Partnership: Career Pathways, Tech Prep and Employers.”

An upcoming 7th Annual Career Fair will be held April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the College’s Regional Workforce Development Center. Open to the public and sponsored by the Western Tidewater Tech Prep Consortium, the city of Franklin and Chowan University, the Career Fair provides a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with major employers.

Participants are encouraged to dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes. Jobs have been offered on the spot at previous fairs!

For more details, call Tech Prep Coordinator Audrey Lawrence at 569-6770 or 569-6706.

For information on options available at PDCCC, call 569-6700, or visit our website at www.pc.vccs.edu.