Are you ready to jumpstart your career and gain a competitive edge in today’s job market? Carver Career Center offers a range of dynamic programs designed to provide you with the skills and experience you need to succeed. Our innovative approach incorporates simulated workplace environments, ensuring you’re not just learning in a classroom, but actively preparing for your future career. Explore the opportunities that Carver Career Center Programs can unlock for you.
Comprehensive Career and Technical Education at Carver
Carver Career and Technical Education Center is committed to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes essential for thriving careers. Our programs are built upon three core objectives:
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Developing Job-Ready Skills: We prioritize hands-on training and practical experience to ensure our graduates possess the specific job skills and deep knowledge bases demanded by various industries. Our curriculum is designed to directly translate into career success.
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Preparing for Further Education: We understand that career pathways are diverse. Carver programs are structured to not only lead directly to employment but also to provide a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue college or further post-secondary education and specialized training.
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Lifelong Learning for Adult Professionals: Carver Career Center also serves the adult community, offering opportunities for employed individuals to upgrade their skills, stay current with industry advancements, and gain new competencies for career advancement and promotion.
To achieve these objectives, each Carver Career Center program integrates several key components:
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In-depth Occupational Knowledge: Students benefit from traditional classroom instruction, including engaging discussions, informative lectures, collaborative small and large group activities, and practical laboratory assignments to build a strong theoretical understanding.
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Hands-on Occupational Performance Skills: Learning by doing is central to our approach. Students develop crucial performance skills through extensive hands-on applications, working on projects and tasks that mirror real-world industry standards and expectations.
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Essential Computer Literacy: In today’s digital age, computer skills are indispensable. All Carver programs include a dedicated computer literacy training component, equipping students with valuable technological skills that significantly enhance their employability across various sectors.
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Critical Employability Skills: Beyond technical expertise, we focus on professional development. Students participate in employability skills training, learning vital techniques and strategies for successfully finding and maintaining employment, from resume building to interview skills and workplace etiquette.
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Paramount Safety Training: Safety is our top priority. Students receive thorough instruction on the safe and correct operation of all tools and equipment relevant to their chosen field. Safety education is woven into the fabric of every training program, ensuring a secure learning environment and responsible work practices.
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Developing Leadership Capabilities: We foster leadership qualities through active participation in student organizations. These experiences teach students essential teamwork and leadership skills, preparing them to be both effective team members and confident leaders in their future workplaces.
The Simulated Workplace Experience: Real-World Readiness
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At the heart of Carver Career Center’s program excellence is the Simulated Workplace initiative. We recognize the trust parents and students place in us to provide a high-quality education, and we are dedicated to ensuring every student achieves success. To this end, we implement Simulated Workplace Protocols, designed in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education and industry experts.
The Simulated Workplace program bridges the gap between the classroom and the professional world. It’s an educational innovation that integrates workplace environmental protocols directly into our career and technical education programs. These protocols are carefully aligned with the demands of West Virginia’s workforce, encompassing crucial aspects such as professionalism, attendance, safety, and even incorporating elements like random drug testing to reflect real-world workplace expectations.
Simulated Workplace goes beyond traditional instruction. It fosters a more engaging and immersive learning environment where students take ownership of their performance and understand how their individual contributions impact the overall success of their “company”—their classroom and program. This authentic workplace culture allows students to thrive while developing crucial professional skills. Furthermore, the program actively encourages partnerships with local businesses and industry experts who participate in on-site review teams, ensuring our programs remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce.
The Simulated Workplace environment, guided by WVBOE Policies 2510 & 2520.13, operates under a structured set of protocols to guarantee consistency and maintain high quality in its implementation. These protocols include:
Protocol 1 – Student-Led Companies: Our classrooms function as student-led companies, shifting the focus from instructor-centered learning to a collaborative environment. Instructors become facilitators, guiding students who take a more active role in their education. This student-led culture recognizes individual learning styles and interests, emphasizing personalized learning experiences. Students lead projects and tasks, mirroring workplace delegation and responsibility. Dedicated meeting areas are provided for student-led meetings and conferences, promoting collaboration and project ownership. Some programs even create training center environments within the classroom, with off-site locations serving as the actual “workplace,” such as clinical sites for nursing programs.
Protocol 2 – Application/Interview Structure: Just like in the professional world, students applying to Carver CTE programs undergo an application and interview process during the school’s designated scheduling time. Instructors, counselors, and administrators collaborate to conduct interviews, ensuring a structured and professional selection process. This process is designed to ensure students are genuinely interested in their chosen program and make informed decisions about their career paths, not to restrict access to programs. Students transferring after the school year begins also participate in this application and interview process before enrolling and participating in the Simulated Workplace environment, including safety training. Templates for applications, interview questions, and rubrics are available to standardize and enhance the process.
Protocol 3 – Formal Attendance System: Recognizing that attendance is a critical aspect of workplace reliability, Simulated Workplace implements a formal attendance system. This often involves time clocks or digital recording systems like WVEIS, mirroring workplace attendance tracking. Instructors determine the most appropriate system to emulate a real workplace environment. All attendance procedures align with county and WVBOE Policy 4110, reinforcing the importance of punctuality and consistent attendance.
Protocol 4 – Drug-Free Work Zones: Safety and well-being are paramount. Students in Simulated Workplace participate in drug testing, aligning with many workplace drug-free policies. County-established drug testing policies and agreements with external agencies ensure fair and validated testing procedures. Positive test results are followed by a second test for confirmation. Instead of a punitive approach, the program emphasizes support and guidance for students who may need assistance with potential substance abuse issues, in accordance with local county policy. The focus is on creating a safe and healthy environment for all students.
Protocol 5 – 6S Environment: Creating and maintaining an organized and efficient workspace is crucial for productivity and safety. Simulated Workplace emphasizes the 6S methodology (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, and Safety). Each classroom adapts the 6S principles to reflect their specific industry standards. Instructors and students share responsibility for creating and maintaining a 6S environment. Safety managers, often students in leadership roles, inspect and enforce these standards, ensuring clear expectations, safe and clean work areas, and an environment that supports skill development, teamwork, creativity, and leadership.
Protocol 6 – Safe Work Areas: Prioritizing student safety, all Simulated Workplace participants complete safety training specific to their field of study. Instructors select appropriate safety training courses, and students must achieve a 100% score on safety tests before accessing laboratory or job site areas. This rigorous approach underscores the importance of workplace safety, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting students—the most valuable asset of the Simulated Workplace. Promoting student health and well-being also reduces potential costs associated with accidents and workers’ compensation.
Protocol 7 – Workplace Teams: Organizational charts are used to establish clear team structures and communication channels within the Simulated Workplace. These charts help instructors and students understand roles, responsibilities, and resource allocation. They provide a framework for managing tasks, making decisions, and communicating information effectively. Instructors determine the number of positions and titles, and best practices encourage rotating students through leadership roles to provide leadership experience opportunities for everyone.
Protocol 8 – PBL and Student Engagement: Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a core instructional method in Simulated Workplace, fostering student engagement and deeper learning. PBL encourages students to explore real-world problems, collaborate with peers, and develop innovative solutions. Instructors act as facilitators, providing guidance and resources while students drive discussions, apply project management techniques, build teamwork skills, and utilize problem-solving processes, all contributing to the overall “company” productivity and success.
Protocol 9 – Company Name and Handbook: To enhance the simulated workplace environment, each program establishes a unique company name, which can be student-selected and may change annually based on student feedback. The company name is displayed prominently in the classroom or workplace. Furthermore, each Simulated Workplace “company” develops and annually reviews a company policy and procedures manual or handbook. Online templates are available to assist in creating detailed manuals, which are customizable to meet specific program needs and expectations. These handbooks outline company-specific policies, while adhering to county and state regulations. New students review and contribute to handbook revisions at the beginning of each school year, ensuring relevance and student ownership.
Protocol 10 – Company Meetings: Regular company meetings are essential for effective communication and goal alignment. Simulated Workplace emphasizes student-led company meetings, focusing on upcoming events, projects, safety discussions, and other relevant topics identified by student leaders and instructors. Meetings can be daily or weekly, depending on the program’s needs. Examples of student-led meeting types include: manager-team meetings for daily/weekly agenda review (lesson plan alignment), safety director-led class meetings for safety discussions, information manager-led meetings for portfolio development, and company leaders meeting with school administrators for issue resolution and data reporting.
Protocol 11 – On-site Business Review: To ensure program quality and industry relevance, Simulated Workplace companies participate in on-site business reviews. Local business and industry experts visit the simulated workplaces to evaluate the programs, offering professional advice on equipment, safety, industry trends, certifications, and more. These reviews provide valuable learning experiences for students, allowing them to showcase their skills and receive direct feedback from industry professionals. They also help local employers connect with student talent and understand program outcomes. Simulated Workplace companies receive a rating based on these reviews, similar to health department restaurant ratings. High-performing programs (85% or higher) earn recognition as a West Virginia Industry Endorsed program, while those scoring between 70% and 84% receive recognition for program achievement.
Protocol 12 – Accountability: Simulated Workplace emphasizes accountability through data review, reporting, and technical assessments. Student data is collected through WVEIS at the local level. Students also generate semi-annual and annual reports for the WVDE. These student-generated reports help Simulated Workplace companies track progress, inform company meeting topics, and refine company goals. Reporting deadlines are in January and June. It’s important to note that a CTE program may encompass multiple classes, but all students within a program constitute a single Simulated Workplace company, with individual classes considered divisions within that company.
Partnering for Student Success
We encourage parents and guardians to actively support their student’s participation in Carver Career & Technical Education Center programs. Regular attendance is crucial for success in our hands-on, intensive programs. Making up missed work can be challenging, and consistent attendance reinforces the dependable work habits essential for future employment. We also emphasize the importance of strong foundational skills in English and math, which are integrated into many of our programs and are vital for success in today’s workforce. Adherence to school rules is paramount for student safety and program effectiveness.
We invite you to take an active interest in your child’s program at Carver Career & Technical Education Center. Visit our school, spend time in the classroom, participate in student activities, and provide us with feedback on how we can continuously improve. Together, we can ensure your child gains the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for a successful and fulfilling career through Carver Career Center programs and the innovative Simulated Workplace environment.
