RESERVE – Thirteen East St. John High School students are getting a jump-start on their careers by enrolling in the Processing Technician Program at the River Parish Vocational Technical College while they are still in their junior year of high school.

Dennis Murphy, campus dean of the River Parish Vocational Technical College, said the program is based on an industry-driven curriculum. He said there is a growing demand for skilled process operators among local plant facilities, noting that many local plants have written letters requesting the college’s assistance in filling positions.

The technical college worked with the Metro Vision School-to-Career Partnership to establish the dual enrollment program with the high school.

“Our students can start making $18 per hour after only two years of training. They can move themselves up to $26 per hour within three to four years,” Murphy said. “It’s a great opportunity for so many of our young people. Where else are they going to make that kind of money after only two years of post-secondary schooling?”

Isaac Fields said he was excited about the opportunity to learn process operating because his father is an operator for the Jefferson Parish Drainage System.

“This is giving me a jump start on life,” he said. “I can take these classes now, while I’m still in school, and I won’t have as much to do after I graduate.”

“The real attraction for me is the money. I can earn good money even when I’m just starting out,” Fields said.

Antoine Dante said he likes the thought of having an extra degree to his credit.

“This gives me college and high school credit, so I thought I would try it out and see if I

liked it,” he said. “Besides, it’s sure to give me extra recognition from colleges when they look at my transcript.”

The Process Technician Program is a two-year associate of science degree program that is transferable to a four-year degree program at Nicholls State University.

Murphy said the students begin with the Introduction to Process Operations class, which is a 3.0 credit class that includes computer-based training and hands-on practice with on-site processing equipment. George Foret is the class instructor.

Foret said he introduces students to the school’s fully operational methanol distillation plant, which includes a Honeywell TDC-3000 computer, natural gas-fired furnace, heating oil, methanol and a cooling tower. Students also simulate chemical processing on four smaller plants in the school’s new $500,000 glass lab, which include liquid-liquid extraction processing, the conversion of sucrose to glucose and fructose, water purification and waste treatment.

Foret said he targeted the school’s chemistry classes to recruit students for the program because of their need to understand basic chemical properties.

Charmernikka Isom, who holds a 3.75 GPA, said she thought about being a nurse prior to enrolling in the Processing Technical Program.

“Now, I’m interested in getting a job in this area. I like it. I’ve learned a lot,” Isom said.

Murphy said the students receive class instruction free of charge because of their dual high school enrollment status. Moreover, they also receive free bus transportation to and from the East St. John High School campus and the college every day.

“The school bus picks them up at the high school and delivers them to the college for their class. After class, they are returned to the high school in time to gather their things and catch their bus for home,” Murphy said.

He said the first-year response from students at East St. John High has been tremendous. “It’s taken us two years or more to get interest in other parishes, and in some cases, the instructor goes to the high school rather than the students coming here, but still enrollment is not what it could be,” Murphy said. “We’ve already filled a class with students from East St. John, and we’re looking to expand next year as word begins to filter down.”