Vocational Programs

Beginning at age 14, students at St. Catherine Academy begin a gradual transition from classroom work to the adult world of work. Students progress at an individual pace through the three tiered Vocational Program. The purpose of our vocational programs is to prepare our students for life after school to succeed as adults – to be productive, independent and participating adults to the extent that each individual’s abilities will allow. Students are guided to discover their own unique strengths, to gain confidence from their successes and to learn to value that which makes them different.

Vocational Training is offered to students aged 14 to 16. At this level students begin to acquire skills for the workplace such as punctuality, teamwork, responsibility for a particular job, etc. Vocabulary proper to the workplace is introduced. Students practice a variety of skills using the Workbox curriculum and begin to look at different careers. Vocational Skills Classes provide students with over sixty-organized and boxed work skill activities aimed at developing and enhancing functional skills (packaging, sorting, counting, bundling, copying, assembling, matching). Once a student understands the instructions and begins working, these workboxes are organized for independent use. They provide an opportunity for students to improve their self confidence and their ability to follow directions. The work boxes provide an effective means of teaching such pre-vocational skills as attention to detail, eye-hand coordination, promptness, perseverance, familiarity with common objects, core of materials and personal responsibility.

In addition to the workbox skill activities, students in the Career Class consider their strengths and interests and which careers they might be apt to choose. Classes include topics related to attitudes on the job, characteristics of a good employee, teamwork, preparation for a job interview and experiencing an interview. The Career Class visits places of business where they enjoy a tour and the opportunity to meet the employer to learn what is expected of his/her employees. The Class also takes in work from area businesses and learns to follow directions, work conscientiously, and complete the job on time.

Students aged 16 to 18 are involved in Career Exploration. In this phase of the program, students experience jobs within the school setting and on the campus in Fairfield. Field trips to a variety of jobs are planned to help students identify their own strengths for the work place.

Students aged 18 through 21 are involved in the Community Based Vocational Experience program. These students are beginning the transition to adult living where a balance between job, chores at home and leisure time is important. The day for these students is centered on a job in the community. A job coach accompanies an individual or small group of students to the job site daily to reinforce work skills developed in the previous segments of the program. Planning their leisure activities following work becomes an important skill. Our students have enjoyed placements at sites that include Bigelo Tea, Taco Loco, and Notre Dame High School.

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