Alternative Pathways program helps students get ahead

Jared Erb, First Choice career coordinator with the Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), likes to share the story of 2023 Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) graduate Ryan Flaim, who was interested in learning auto body restoration. Erb contacted Lichty Brothers Inc., and the business granted Flaim an apprenticeship. "Then they hired him full time during his senior year," recounted Erb. "He was able to finish his high school credits while taking on a full-time role. It was a win-win." Erb noted that Flaim is still considering furthering his education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Flaim was one of more than 10 PVHS students in the school's Class of 2023 to participate in such a program, which PVSD calls Alternative Pathways. "Basically, during junior and senior years, students choose a career direction, and we match them with a company or business or service provider that would be able to help them engage in learning that role," explained Erb. "So kids are graduating and moving (directly) into full-time positions, but then (also) continuing their education with the support of the company that they are currently working for."

A few of the other Class of 2023 students who worked outside the classroom as part of a school/organization partnership included Amani Agosto, who pursued her first choice in special education through an internship at Lighthouse Vocational services; Zachary Otstot, who engaged in an IT internship with the PVSD tech department; and Sarah Arment, who pursued her interest in physical therapy through an internship at CPRS Physical Therapy.

Erb explained that the program offers a multitude of benefits to the students, including financial relief. "These young adults are earning degrees and earning their place in the professional workforce having not gone into huge debt for training," he noted, adding that Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health offers a program that can allow a student to attend Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences tuition free. "Programs like that level the playing field for those who would not have the ability to pay," he said. Erb also pointed out that the students who take part in Alternative Pathways have a broader exposure to their field of interest, which "increases their ability to learn and the likelihood of them completing the program."

The emphasis on Alternative Pathways means more PVHS students are graduating ready to move into full-time work in a field. "We had about 45 work-based learning experiences happening for a total of 65 industry recognized credentials (last year)," said Erb, who noted that number did not include students who attended Lancaster County Career & Technology Center. He added that the Pennsylvania Future Ready Index has set a goal for every senior to have an approved work-based learning experience or an industry-recognized credential to help them further their career potential, but he added that the school cannot meet that goal alone. "It's a community work," Erb said. "It takes partnerships between school and business across all industry clusters - from engineering to health care to education."

Readers who have questions about the program may email jared_erb@pequeavalley.net or call 717-768-5510, ext. 5518.