For individuals with disabilities seeking fulfilling and independent adult lives, acquiring essential work skills is paramount. Ridgewater College understands this journey and offers a robust Career Skills Program designed to provide the necessary environment, training, and connections for success. This program is specifically tailored for high school students with disabilities or varied abilities, recognizing the unique challenges they may face in transitioning to adulthood and employment. Ridgewater’s Career Skills Program offers tangible benefits and real-world preparation, empowering students to achieve self-sufficiency.
Program Options and Future Employment
Ridgewater College provides flexible options within its Career Skills Program to meet diverse student needs and career aspirations. Students can choose between:
- Career Skills Certificate: Ideal for focused skill development and entry into specific job roles.
- Career Skills Diploma: A more comprehensive program offering broader skills and enhanced career prospects.
Both options are designed to equip students with the practical skills and experience employers seek, leading to successful job placements after graduation.
Program Delivery and Structure
The Career Skills Program at Ridgewater College is conveniently delivered at the Willmar campus, with program start dates in the Fall semester. This structure allows for a focused and immersive learning experience within a supportive campus environment.
Essential Skills You Will Develop
The Career Skills Program curriculum is carefully designed to provide a holistic learning experience, encompassing both vocational and personal development. Students will gain proficiency in:
- Vocational Training through Community Internships: Gain hands-on experience at community-based training sites, applying learned skills in real-world work settings. These internships are crucial for practical skill development and workplace acclimation.
- Life Skills Enhancement: Develop crucial life skills necessary for independent living, such as personal organization, time management, and problem-solving, fostering greater self-reliance.
- Personal Management Skills: Enhance personal effectiveness through training in self-advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills, essential for both personal and professional success.
- Job-Seeking and Job-Keeping Strategies: Learn effective techniques for navigating the job market, including resume building, interview skills, and strategies for maintaining successful long-term employment.
- Applied Job Search Techniques: Receive practical training in job search methodologies, utilizing online resources, networking, and direct employer engagement to secure desired employment opportunities.
Why Ridgewater’s Career Skills Program Stands Out
Ridgewater College offers a uniquely supportive and effective environment for students in the Career Skills Program. The program’s nurturing atmosphere and dedicated approach are key to student success and transition into meaningful employment.
- Extensive Community Partnerships: Benefit from Ridgewater’s strong ties with over 80 local employers who actively participate in the program, offering diverse internship opportunities and a supportive network for students. These employers understand the value and potential of Career Skills Program students.
- Established Community Agency Relationships: The program leverages long-standing relationships with key community agencies, including social services and vocational rehabilitation, ensuring students receive comprehensive support beyond the college environment.
- Proven Success: Consistently high job placement rates, ranging from 83-100% in recent years, demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for successful employment and independent living.
Recognized Program Excellence
Ridgewater College’s Career Skills Program is distinguished as one of only two such programs in the entire state, highlighting its unique and valuable contribution to vocational training for individuals with disabilities in Minnesota. This distinction underscores the program’s quality, specialized focus, and proven track record.
Program Features for Student Success
Ridgewater College integrates specific attributes into the Career Skills Program to maximize student growth and achievement:
- Personalized Preliminary Interviews: Faculty conduct individual interviews with prospective students to ensure the program is the right fit, fostering a supportive and appropriately matched learning environment from the outset.
- Collaborative Group Activities: Engage in group-based learning and activities, fostering peer support, collaborative learning, and a fun, engaging educational experience.
- Experiential Hands-on Internships: Gain invaluable practical experience through hands-on internships with local employers, facilitating career exploration, building confidence, and providing real-world skill application.
- Dedicated and Experienced Instructors: Learn from highly experienced and dedicated instructors who prioritize student success, providing personalized guidance and mentorship throughout the program. These instructors are experts in vocational training and special needs education.
- Comprehensive College and Community Support: Benefit from robust support systems both within Ridgewater College and from community partners, addressing basic needs and allowing students to focus fully on their career development and future goals.
Ideal candidates for the Career Skills Program are individuals who are motivated to work, possess a strong work ethic, understand the importance of punctuality and consistent attendance, demonstrate organizational skills, and aspire to achieve self-sufficiency.
Application Process and Next Steps
If you are interested in applying to the Career Skills Program, we encourage you to take the next step. Contact Ben Larson directly at 320-222-8041 or via email at [email protected] to arrange an informative meeting. This meeting provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about the program in detail and discuss your individual needs and aspirations.
The application process includes completing an application form, submitting an application fee, and providing documentation of disability. Additionally, a current high school transcript should be sent to Ridgewater College. This comprehensive approach ensures that each applicant receives personalized consideration and support throughout the enrollment process.
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