The inCERT Yourself cyber security students watch a video during their class at Washington State Community College. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)

Washington State Community College’s pilot inCERT Yourself program prepares students for life after high school.

Spread out over 15 weeks, every Friday high school seniors and juniors attend classes in their chosen program on the college’s campus.

A total of 61 students across 10 schools are currently enrolled: Belpre, Caldwell, Federal Hocking, Fort Frye, Frontier, Marietta, Meadowbrook, Shenandoah, Trimble, and Warren.

“We don’t have classes here on Fridays, so the equipment we have isn’t used,” Dan Leffingwell, Dean of Business and Engineering at WSCC, said. “We thought it would be mutually beneficial to open our doors and offer a chance for high school students to learn.”

The program provides credentials in three career areas: Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Welding. For each credential earned by a student, their district will receive a $1,250 reimbursement.

Fort Frye senior Connor Campbell cuts through metal during the inCERT Yourself Industrial Welding class at Washington State Community College.

Leffingwell said he was inspired to develop InCERT Yourself by his 35-year career in K-12 schools. He said the area superintendents were interested and the program developed as a result of a collaborative effort.

Students are being taught by the college’s professors such as Mark Riley for Cyber Security, Jared Voldness for Advanced Manufacturing, and Chris Carpenter for Industrial Welding. Appalachian Ohio Manufacturer’s Coalition’s Liz King is also teaching Industrial welding.

“This is my fourth class taught at Washington State, but the first with credentials,” she said. “Students will have to pass a hands-on practical test and a theoretical test at the end of class. They have to meet standards and be certified.”

“I like being in the shop and doing hands-on work,” Fort Frye senior Connor Campbell said.

Belpre High School principal Tyler Schaad said enrolling students in the program was a “no-brainer.”

“We try everything we can to give opportunities to our students. We got a STEM grant last year for our own program. Washington State has resources we don’t,” Schaad said.

Madi Fraley, Career Navigator at Meadowbrook High School, said they decided to work with the college due to the programs offered.

“I can’t tell you how empowered students are when they go to a program like this. It gives them a reason why. They get to experience some independence.”