Student completes ADP
Alex Contrael
An adult education welding technology student has become the first to complete a new program offered at Buckeye Career Center, which provides adult students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and industry-recognized credential.
Alex Contrael of Dover completed the endeavor in 10 weeks as part of the Adult Diploma Program.
“The program is different from a traditional high school setting because the delivery of instruction is primarily skilled hours to earn an industry-recognized credential in an in-demand career,” BCC adult education director Frank Polen said. “Once a student demonstrates mastery of a skill and earns that credential, he or she is then prepared for a career in an in-demand field.”
Contrael chose the abbreviated welding technology course and AWS certifications as a way to achieve his diploma after not graduating high school. He also earned his OSHA 10 certificate.
“I’m really proud of myself. I usually don’t go out of my way to do stuff like that, so the fact that I did made me feel really proud,” Contrael said. “I wanted a diploma. I wanted to go all the way, and I did.”
He is hopeful his achievement will lead to employment. “I would apply and get rejected (because of the lack of diploma), and someone else with the credentials would get picked over me,” he said. “I hope to get a welding job and get on with my life, finally.”
Assistant adult education director Steve Rippeth commended Contrael. “It took a great deal of courage, dedication and effort to go back and finish what he had started in high school, even more so to stay focused during this season of uncertainty in which we currently live,” Rippeth said.
Polen agreed and believes Contrael’s success is just the beginning of a program that will provide educational opportunities for adults wanting to earn their high school diploma while gaining skilled-workforce training.
“Education is not a race, and sometimes as we stop and look around, daily life sometimes has a way of detouring our original goals and plans. I applaud the Ohio Department of Education, as well as the Ohio Department of Higher Education, for continuing to recognize this and support such programs that can truly be life-changing,” Polen said.
BCC currently has 22 students enrolled in ADP.
Contrael received his diploma in January and will walk at the BCC adult education graduation in May. To enter the program, students must pass a WorkKeys test and be at least 20 years old.
Issuance of a diploma is contingent upon passing all course requirements and assessments and earning an industry-recognized credential at a state-approved educational institution.
ADP programs at BCC include phlebotomy, nail technician, EMT and the short-term welding course.
Visit www.buckeyecareercenter.org/adp.aspx.