Post High School Options
April has just begun…the month students across our state will begin to receive college admission letters and will make the decision about which college to attend. Although these are uncertain times, and we don’t know when education facilities will reopen, for many students college has been an ongoing question. Is college for every student? Do all students benefit from a four-year degree?
With public school closures, students are in isolated spaces. Despite social distancing, we hope students have someone to talk to about their post graduation plans.
We are not a one-size-fits-all society and there isn’t one answer for all students. We do a disservice to our students if we push them all towards a college path. For some students, a four-year university IS the path. For others, perhaps not.
I don’t know who said this but there’s some truth in the statement:
“A bachelor’s degree is not a piece of paper that says, ʻYou’re a success!’ Just as the lack of one doesn’t say, ʻYou’re a failure!’”
We must do what’s right for all students.
We researched on-island vocational training options for students who choose not to take the college path. We shared the resources at the March Konawaena High School Student Showcase; unfortunately, other future events have been cancelled.
We want to thank these organizations for sharing their flyers and contact information so we can make them available to you. We hope this will open up conversations with students who are not sure about what to do after high school.
West Hawai`i Options:
Big Island Beauty Academy offers a full range of courses in Cosmetology, Hairdressing, Nail Technology, Esthetics, and Beauty Instruction. : bigislandbeautyacademy.com
Mauna Loa Helicopters is an FAA Part 141 flight school. : maunaloahelicopters.edu, 808-334-0234
Tropic Bird Flight Service was created to provide top quality fight training. : tropicbirdflightservice.com, 808-895-4753. (Also offering 1/2 off introductory lessons for when they start up classes again, which is not advertised on the site at the moment)
Island CPR is dedicated to offering quality medical training. Classes range from CPR & First Aid to medical courses such as Certified Nurse Aide, Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Responder, and Phlebotomy to safety courses such as Lifeguard, Oxygen Provider, Wilderness and Remote First Aide, and Child Learn to Swim. : IslandCPR.com, 808-326-7836
We continue to seek more local opportunities for students. Please contact us if you know of other vocational or technical education options in West Hawai`i.
East Hawai`i:
H2K Driver Training Services, L.L.C. The CDL course provides pre-vocational skills to qualify for the Department of Transportation Commercial License. : Hkeliikoa@yahoo.com, (808)935-3912
