Tech Prep is a program of study available to all students interested in pursuing technical careers. Tech Prep education is an articulated, planned sequence of study beginning in high school, and extending through at least two years of postsecondary education or an apprenticeship program. Programs can continue up to the Baccalaureate degree.

Emphasizing contextual learning and career pathways, Tech Prep is an important school-to-work transition strategy, helping all students make the connection between school and employment. This is accomplished through Articulation, a planned process linking two or more educational systems to help students make a smooth transition from the secondary level of occupational or academic training to the two-year or four-year postsecondary level without experiencing a delay or duplication of learning.

The Articulation agreements with WHC include the following schools:

• Avenal
• Coalinga
• Firebaugh
• Lemoore
• Mendota
• Riverdale
• Tranquility
• Hanford
• Kings ROP

The 2+2 Articulation with these schools varies between three and fourteen courses. This year, we plan to completely review all existing courses and contact each school for the opportunity to add new courses to the articulation list.

The Consortium participated in or assumed a leadership role in organizing and coordinating:

• Four Career Fairs in elementary schools
• One Career Fair at Avenal HS
• One Career Fair at Lemoore HS
• Regional Tech Prep Expo
• 800 students, juniors and seniors, entered in 32 competitions – Academic and Vocational
• Featured a career pathway at each meeting
• WHC faculty – twelve – attended monthly meetings and presented programs:
  • Cisco Systems
  • Careers in Education
  • Ag Program and Farm of the Future
  • Health Careers
  • AOJ
  • Consumer and Family Studies
  • Teacher Assistant Program
  • Business

For the year 2004-2005, the Tech Prep Consortium plans to continue the support of these programs and events and organize career fairs at both WHC campuses.