Debora Padilla

Student retention is vital to institutions. It is not easy and it is a part of everyone on staff. It also seems to be ever evolving in that no two student withdrawal reasons are ever the same. Outreach and communication are again key to facilitating good retention withing students. Therefore, everyone on staff should be constantly thinking about the student who seems to be uninvolved, uninterested or ill-informed and how do we reach and stay connected to the success of that student. 

Communication is vital in every area of our lives. In specifics to a skilled trade, communication creates an environment of uniformity within a group of people. Communication shares information that may not otherwise be known to all and therefore mistakes or missed opportunities can occur. 

Integrated learning provides approaches to teaching and learning that support problem solving and critical thinking. Creates connection points with other content areas, skills or facts that are a part of the ongoing instruction process. With Simulation and VR training a real-time opportunity arises for skilled trade students to Learn, Practice and Apply the techniques needed to do their jobs.  

With the many types of skilled trades there are many ways online learning can be useful and successful. There are many benefits to learning trades online aside from the actual technique/process of the skilled trade itself. From career readiness and obtaining a skilled trade with resume writing tips, interview techniques and career mentorships, there are many ways to obtain lifelong skills with continued education, certifications and more. The value of the online resources for skilled trade professionals is immeasurable and vast keeping a skilled trade professional on top of their chosen trade. 

I have learned that it is important to be an example of what you are asking your student to be. Give them the tools and opportunities to share what they are learning and how they are able to apply it in their everyday professional life.