Vocational Training

Colossians 3:23-24 “whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. Schools should be established for the purpose of obtaining not only knowledge from books, but knowledge of practical industry. Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 317

Daily, systematic labor should constitute a part of the education of the youth. Much can be gained by connecting labor with schools. In following this plan, students can leave school with strength and courage to serve in any position in which the providence of God may place them. Fundamentals of Christian Education,p. 44 The youth need to be taught that life means earnest work, responsibility, care-taking. They need a training that will make them practical–men and women who can cope with emergencies. They should be taught that the discipline of systematic, well-regulated labor is essential, not only as a safeguard against the vicissitudes of life, but as an aid to all-around development. Education, p 215

The benefit of manual training is needed also by professional men. A man may have a brilliant mind; he may be quick to catch ideas; his knowledge and skill may secure for him admission to his chosen calling; yet he may still be far from possessing a fitness for its duties. An education derived chiefly from books leads to superficial thinking. Practical work encourages close observation and independent thought. Rightly performed, it tends to develop that practical wisdom which we call common sense. It develops ability to plan and execute, strengthens courage and perseverance, and calls for the exercise of tact and skill. Education, p 220

In the schools of the prophets, manual training was a component of each student’s training. Heritage Academy believes that learning to work, learning to be punctual and learning to faithfully perform assigned duties are a vital part of the total Christian education. The objectives of the vocational training program are to:

1. Encourage the student to develop an appreciation for manual labor as an important part of life.

2. Teach the student good work ethics.

3. Help the students obtain specific vocational skills.

For these reasons, Heritage Academy has adopted the following vocational training policy:

• Each student is required to participate in the vocational training program.

• Each student’s performance will be evaluated monthly by their supervisor.

• Poor performance may jeopardize a student’s tenure at Heritage Academy.

Students rotate vocational training assignments so that they receive training and experience in several areas. Vocational Instruction Students receive instruction in a variety of vocational areas including but not limited to culinary arts, office work, page layout, photography, video production, agriculture, auto mechanics, maintenance. Vocational Experience Heritage Academy makes provisions for all students to spend part of each day gaining vocational experience and, for this reason, arranges classes so students have three to four hours in the morning or the afternoon for vocational training. All vocational training assignments and requests for changes are made through the vocational training coordinator. Time spent in the vocational training program has no cash value. Since vocational experience is a training area, students are graded on their performance. The student’s vocational training performance is evaluated on a monthly basis. Vocational Grade Each student receives a monthly vocational grade from his or her vocational supervisor. To assess student performance, the supervisor reviews the student’s vocational performance against a continuum of vocational skills and character traits.