Still more of the "New Possible"

Did you know that Educate Maine ...

• Has identified Hospitality as a high-demand occupational and career sector in our state.

• Reports there are approximately 14,000 annual Hospitality employment openings in Maine.

• Reports there are unfilled jobs at middle class pay scales in this sector, because applicants for these openings do not have the necessary skills, credentials, or occupational certifications.

• Indicates, as a career sector, Hospitality rewards creativity, energy, and hard work through opportunities for those working in this field to work their up from entry level roles to positions as managers of restaurants and hotels or even small business owners, all while contributing to the Tourism industry -- a key economic driver in our state and region.

We believe we could more effectively align core academic expectations with the applied technical learning in current and potential future programs at the St. John Valley Technology Center, if all our region's high school educators had the opportunity to work together under one roof on one campus.

We believe we could more effectively link both academic and technical education with the training needs of businesses and employers in our region by providing all our secondary school educators the opportunity to work together daily as a single team focused on the design and delivery of integrated academic and career-focused learning opportunities for all Upper St. John Valley students, beginning in 9th grade.

We believe the proposed Valley Unified Regional School represents the "new possible" for the students, educators, businesses, employers, citizens, and communities of the Upper St. John Valley.

To consider a Hospitality/Culinary/Tourism example of this "new possible", click here or on the image below to view sample content from a potential Valley Unified Regional Learning Center Pathways Program of Studies.

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