Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Learning centers around the county allow students to concentrate on specific career goals.
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 15, 2002
Youngsters who would benefit from technical and vocational training can choose from two centers offering a variety of career courses.
Pinellas Technical Education Centers, which accept students 16 and older, are situated at 901 34th St. S in St. Petersburg and at 6100 154th Ave. N in Clearwater.
High school-age students have several options. Some attend as dual enrollees who divide the day between regular high school and PTEC. In addition, students can take preparatory courses to obtain GEDs. And they can participate in a dropout prevention program.
There also are programs for students with special needs and for those who are learning English as a second language.
The vocational programs offer apprenticeship programs, industrial training, business technology, and family, consumer and health sciences.
Currently among the more popular courses are those producing certified nursing assistants, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians and skilled workers in other commercially related fields, said Clide Cassity, PTEC director.
Prospective students or their parents should call to make an appointment with a counselor. The St. Petersburg campus number is 893-2500; in Clearwater, it's 538-7167.
In addition, students from Largo, Osceola and Seminole high schools can choose from 15 programs at Seminole Vocational Education Center, 12611 86th Ave. N. Call 545-6405 for information.