Posted on 05/06/2012 5:04:09 PM PDT by Chickensoup
My son is in homeschool. He is an experiential kind of guy and is taking couses (some self taught) in tiling, heavy equipment and CDL. I may be able to graduate him as a two year senior with full CDL license.
There are a number of other courses I could have him take after highschool, from building post and beam homes, to basic plumbing and electricity, engine repair, to gunsmithing and others. many are available to adults and provided by the private sector.
I would love to be able to provide him with a post high school experiential program which would be tech college oriented and not particularly tied with any one program.
In order to stay my dependent I understand he needs to be in a college program or some sort. And if he remains my dependent I will have the monies via the deduction to send him to the programs.
Any ideas of experiential college programs with distance learning components? Affordable is a key word.
There are a number of other courses I could have him take after highschool, from building post and beam homes, to basic plumbing and electricity, engine repair, to gunsmithing and others. many are available to adults and provided by the private sector.
I would love to be able to provide him with a post high school experiential program which would be tech college oriented and not particularly tied with any one program.
In order to stay my dependent I understand he needs to be in a college program or some sort. And if he remains my dependent I will have the monies via the deduction to send him to the programs.
Any ideas of experiential college programs with distance learning components? Affordable is a key word.
The homecshooling ping list will find this very interesting.
I would send him to a community college. That is what my friends and daughter did. Message me for additional info if you want.
I’ll join the homeschool ping list please.
Search distance learning/blended learning classes at community colleges in your state. Less $$, and there are some good skills to be learned from people experienced in the trades. Some courses end up as capstone/internships.
He might can get the book part of CDL online, but it takes real practice on the road to be able to pass the driving test. Not to mention the preinspection which is a detailed part naming of the entire vehicle.
Trade skills like electrical and carpentry also requires at least SOME hands on training.
My local community college offers degrees completely online with classroom testing, it’s not totally uncommon. I guess you could call online classes ‘homeschool’, but it’s not something new.
Seriously though, you need to make sure you have access to a commercial vehicle to practice in. Those turns are something that requires HOURS AND HOURS on the road. Not to mention parallel parking a tractor trailer.
The Voc CDL program offers that. My interest is to find a college program, two year, that will accept experiential or other kinds of classsroom and work experience for credit.
So I could for example, send him to a local half year boatbuilding course held by a master craftsman, and have him earn credit and be a college student.
I could send him to CC, but they dont have the kinds of apprentice crafts courses I am thinking of.
Hiredhand do ya have any words of wisdom for Chickensoup on this ?
Stay safe !
Sounds like you may have all the tools, a drill, hammer, pliers, vice grips and a chisel.
Sounds like you may have all the tools, a drill, hammer, pliers, vice grips and a chisel.
__________________
Funny. I just want to give him the opportunty to have some broad experiences and knowledge in his areas of interest. The boatbuilding was just an example.
Hm, I’d say that gunsmithing and engine repair would be a good combo.
Even better if you put machining in there too.
In that case he’d be able to fix all sorts of things; and good ‘fixers’ (mechanics, smiths, etc) are always in demand.
Every manufacturing company had people called “fixers”. Loom fixers, line fixers...
Well yes, but the point still stands; a good one will be in much demand (so long as that industry is viable).
Well yes, but the point still stands; a good one will be in much demand (so long as that industry is viable).
____________________________
agreed
Age requirements will probably limit his use of a CDL.
I tried several grads of CDL schools, as over the road
insurance coverage is several years above local. always
tried them out on off road hauls, kept about 1 out of 5
to advance to local hauls. This was for tri-axles, would
not even let them in dump trailer tractors until a couple
of years of no problems, some never.
agreed. The CDL is is just the beginning. It will be a useful ticket in what probably willl be a heavy equipment life.
Get him on track to be a Wire Line Operator in the oil and gas industry...those guys make top dollar
I manage three programs at a community college in Indiana. They are advanced manufacturing, power plant operator, and electric line worker. Out of the last ten graduates in power plant operator, 9 have jobs paying over $50k. No grads yet for electric line worker. Should graduate 5 next year in electric line.
I also recommend welding. We offer a 2 year degree with multiple certifications from the American Welding Society.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.