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It seems like just the other day, I was complaining to my friend that schools really lost their way when they started "teaching for the test," and not educating the kids on "real-world" challenges they were sure to face.  I'm talking about finances, how to cook, light household repair, and most importantly -  some skills that could get you a job right out of high school.   I am so glad to tell you that I was wrong.

Recently, my son was accepted into the Bossier Parish School for Technology & Innovative Learning (BPSTIL).  We were invited to the campus in Bossier City, and I was immediately floored by the things they were teaching 8th-12th graders there!  Here were the classes for auto mechanics (starting with basic maintenance like changing tires and oil), welding, nursing, criminal law, and so much more.  Here was the proof that practical, vocational skills were being taught by experts!

Now, another golden opportunity has presented itself for students seeking a skillset they can immediately turn in to an income.  According to the ArkLaTex Homepage, the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program is coming to the Shreveport - Bossier City area and it's bringing apprenticeships with it.  In case you're unfamiliar with the term - just think of it as on-the-job-training that you get paid for.

That's right - these opportunities are for folks who want to get a good paying job with a provable career path and (if chosen) they'll get compensated for the time they put in.  With enough time under a master practitioner of the craft, and you can become one was well.  Fair warning, the companies looking for apprentices are looking for a 2+ year commitment to learning the trade.  That's 24 hours at an employer site and 16 hours in classroom training.  If you can do that (and get paid), you will reportedly earn yourself an associate's degree in your new professional field!

An open house will be held on June the 1st at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) where you can meet representatives from Benteler Steel/Tube, Frymaster, Maxim Watermakers, Music Mountain Water, Prolec GE, Ternium USA, Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) - all looking for quality apprentices!

Find out more and get registered here 

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