Free Courses Top Those at Private Trade Schools
The detailed survey of employment opportunities in the “Southern California Job Market” supplement, March 6, will aid both those seeking a change in career objective and the forthcoming June graduates.
As a vocational instructor in the public school system, I was particularly interested in “Learning a Trade Without College.”
While there are acceptable for-profit schools, the cost is prohibitive for most of the working class. The electronic course that I teach--at no cost to the students--is usually priced at $2,000 to $4,000 at private trade schools.
The free education is supplied by the Regional Occupational Program, which is funded by the state of California and administered by the county Office of Schools. As a former instructor at a for-profit school, I can state that the electronics course offered by ROP is superior to the private trade schools that I have investigated and taught at.
Those seeking to improve their working status should, of course, investigate for-profit trade schools. However, they should be encouraged to also investigate the free vocational training available through the ROP program.
MIKE CHUTUK
Oceanside
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