Generation Y: Incorporating Work-Based Skills into the Classroom, by Nicole Roning, Culinary Arts Teacher at Wilson Central High School

High school graduates have been raised by “helicopter parents”-the parents that hover and protect their child from every little ounce of criticism. These are the young adults that feel that they deserve something regardless of whether they earned it or not and feel everyone gets a trophy regardless of who makes it to the final round. Many of the Generation Y people will go into the workforce with the same mentality. A recent study from TIME magazine shows that only 9% of this generation believes they should receive promotions when it is warranted by their job performance.

Career and Technical education strives to prepare students for life after high-school, whether it peaks their interest into a specific profession or giving them the workplace readiness skills that industries are asking for. CTE courses are what keep many students attending school due to their involvement in Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSO’s). These organizations build the student to be the best leader, team player and individual that they can be through competitions and professional development.

CTE classes offer students an insight into the workforce; a direct observation into a specific career choice to help guide them toward a successful future. Many Health Science students choose to work in a clinical setting, which gives them the chance to explore their career options while in high school. Honors Nursing Education students participate in active patient care at a nursing home and at the end of the course, they are able to take the state’s CNA exam and become certified nursing assistants.  In Culinary Arts, students are treated as if they are working in the industry. Upper level students are required to be in a clean chef uniform and show up to “work” on time. Being on time ensures they know the importance of how timeliness affects others in the workplace. They lose points in class where in the real-world they may even get fired for being late multiple times. Teamwork and attitude come into play showing them what it takes to complete tasks and that rewards are not always given but earned.

Generation Y students need Career and Technical Education to give them things that help them succeed in the workforce. These students, who are used to constant and immediate feedback, will feel successful with our standards. When taught, applied, and mastered these standards will give them the feedback they need to succeed and move on to another, possibly higher level of competency. Just as the world has changed, so has the Generation Y population. They have learned that nothing is constant and due to this will hold many jobs throughout their lifetime. We, as educators, need to help instill the message that Performance is still an indication for promotion and will always matter.