Vocational Schools Keeping Up With Demand

Pam Veith’s vocational classroom on Wednesday was full. More than two dozen students were learning about careers in the healthcare field.

It was their third day of class, but they’ll be earning a salary within a year.

“I just wanted to get over [the program],” said Diana Aldana, who said she wanted to be a dental assistant. “Have a career at an early age, probably get married and have kids.”

The program is known as the Regional Occupation Program (ROP). It’s an accredited career and technical training program.

This year ROP shortened its 10-month curriculum in half because students wanted to enter the workforce at a faster pace.

“Rather than being here three hours a day, five days a week,” said ROP Principal Barbara Brown, “they’ll be here five days a week for six hours a day.”

The Champion Institute of Cosmetology in Palm Springs collaborates with ROP. Students who enroll in the year-long program are earning a paycheck within months of graduating.

“I might as well do something short-term,” said Kevin Trejo, who recently received his cosmetology license. “It’s a lot easier for me to jump into that than having to go for four years to school and end up not wanting to do that.”

Money also is a factor in pursuing higher education. One-year tuition at University of California-Riverside is over $8,000. Tuition at ROP is between $900-$2500.

Isabella Taylor tried a four-year college last year and dropped out. She spent $2000 alone on books and supplies.

“For two books, I paid $565 each,” she said. “The other [books]were $30 and $75.”

According to ROP, there are some advantages to enrolling in its curriculum: Its students get more attention from teachers and the students leave the program state-certified.

Kevin Trejo said he feels like an adult now.

“I get a paycheck. I pay my bills, all that good stuff,” he said. “I feel like I belong in society.”