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L to R: Barham Madaín A., Gastón Saavedra, Eduardo
Rey-Aguirre González, and José Carrasco Tiznado. |
Tampa, FL., July 11, 2013. The Career and Workforce Education program at USF hosted a group from Chile visiting Tampa to learn about how career and technical education programs are organized and articulated at the secondary level. The group came from the city of Talcahuano, located in the Biobío Region, south of the Central Zone of Chile.
The group included Mayor of Talcahuano, Mr. Gastón Saavedra; the President of ProAndes CFT (a center focusing on preparation for work), Mr. Barham Madaín A.; Mr. Eduardo Rey-Aguirre González (Director, ProAndes CFT in Talcahuano); and Mr. José Carrasco Tiznado, Director of Technical
Education at the Liceo Hernán Valenzuela Leyton in Talcahuano. Upon request from Mr. Eduardo Rey-Aguirre, the two-day visit was hosted by Dr. Victor Hernandez.
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From L to R: Jake Prokop, Gastón Saavedra, Barham Madaín,
Scott Brooks, Michael Ramsey, José Carrasco Tiznado,
and Michael Ippolito. |
Upon arrival on Tuesday, July 9, the group spent the afternoon visiting Greco Middle School to tour the facilities and learn about early career and technical education programs through a pre-engineering academy. The visit was facilitated by Jake Prokop, District Specialist in Curriculum and Program Development. The Pre-Engineering program helps students understand what engineering is and allows them to identify different postsecondary career paths in that area. After touring Greco Middle School, the group visited the Tampa Bay Tech High School (TBT HS) also facilitated by Jake Prokop. At Tampa Bay Tech, the group was welcomed by the Principal, Mr. Michael Ippolito; the General Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in the school district, Mr. Warren “Scott” Brooks; and Mr. Michael Ramsey, District Supervisor of Industrial Technology Education. TBT High School offers 21 technical programs and the group toured the facilities for Automotive Technology, Diesel Engines, Drafting, and Nursing.
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The Chilean delegation with Ms. Kim Friedmeyer, Assistant
Principal at the Learey Technical Center (left); Lead Instructor
John Cavallaro and program students (center), and Victor
Hernandez (right). |
On Wednesday, July 10, the group spent the morning at the University of South Florida to get an overview of the principles and organization of technical education in the United States. Dr. Victor Hernandez conducted the presentations and took the group for a quick tour of the campus. In the afternoon, the group visited the Learey Techical Center to learn about alternative education for youth and adults. The Center offers job training to youth, adults, and corporations in the country under a “school without walls, or calendars, or clocks” model. Through this model, in addition to in-house programs, the Center provides training on any topic, anytime, anywhere that is requested. Thus, the Center offers a variety of programs ranging from a one-day computer class to a five-year electrical apprenticeship programs in a variety of formats. The Center is currently relocating to a new site on the campus of Leto High School. The visit was hosted by Kim Friedmeyer, Assistant Principal.
At the Learey Technical Center, the group was particularly interested in visiting the Electrician program, and John Cavallaro (the program's Lead Instructor) arranged for students to demonstrate what they can do. Three students volunteered to conduct demonstrations of how to design and install wiring circuits for residential and industrial purposes. Students also showcased an outdoor structure they built to practice residential wiring simulating the actual frame of a house related electrical set up requirements. Next, Ms. Friedmeyer took the group for a quick tour of the Early Child Care program, which offers training both in English and Spanish; and the Cosmetology program. Finally, the group spent a few minutes learning about customized student services including remediation and counseling supports.
We hope the two-day visit was productive for the group in their quest to advance technical education in Talcahuano, Chile.
