A Vocational and Career Education Center for Adolescents

Home > Children’s Homes > Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home > A Vocational and Career Education Center for Adolescents

Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home
- Howard School
- A Vocational and Career Education Center for Adolescents
Back to Children’s Homes

Barber School.

Classroom in Barber School.

Barber school stations.

Construction class building an outside shed.

Carpentry class.

A picnic table built by our children.

Barbering class.

High school graduation is an impossible dream for many of our residents. The chaos of their young lives has dashed all possibility of graduation from high school. Because of their circumstances, most of our teens have never really dreamed a possible dream about a career.

So here’s what we’ve done to restore the possibility of BIG dreams.

In 2010 we opened the John H. Allen Career and Vocational Center on the grounds of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston. This new facility contains a barbering school, a welding center, building construction classes and GED classrooms. We want our kids to dream BIG, possible dreams! You might think of our Vocational and Career Center as a Dream Factory for teens who have quit dreaming.

The John H. Allen Career and Vocational Center on the grounds of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home

The John H. Allen Vocational Training and Career Center offers youth opportunities to receiving cutting-edge training in four areas of concentration: Barbering, NCCER Carpentry, State-issued G.E.D. and NCCER Welding. Highly-certified Career and Technical Educators instruct job readiness classes, computer-aided remediation of core skills (math, reading, grammar), and coordinate an active intern program with community business and industry leaders. These avenues give students opportunities to use their skills in a real workplace which offers more realistic goals for immediate of future employment. Often, teens are able to complete their training as they “age out” of the foster care system and are immediately employed by the construction firms who have partnered with us to serve as internship sites.

This exceptional barbering classroom at Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home also serves as a regional testing site.

The Barbering School

The Barber College is state-approved through the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners. Theory and practice of the profession are modeled and taught by a state approved Master Barber Instructor. Youth apply for and receive a student license allowing them to practice their trade on live models. The Barber College is also a testing center for future Barbers.

Importantly, given that children are often removed from care before completing their coursework, all credit hours earned by students are transferable to the Louisiana Technical College system. This allows former residents to continue their education without loss of credit.

Carpentry Class for Adolescents

NCCER-Certified Carpentry Instructors teach the skills necessary to obtain lucrative employment. Utilizing both traditional and innovative teaching methods, instructors model employable work ethics while instructing youth to read a tape, safely use hand and power tools, and construction techniques. Qualifying students can earn National Recognition through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Residents pursuing their NCCER Certificate work on small construction projects such as furniture and storage buildings. Students may also shadow construction workers on job sites.

Carpentry class learns basic construction techniques.

One of our youth about to receive their HiSet on Graduation Day!

High School Equivalency Test (HiSet) preparation involves four core areas of instruction: Language Arts (2 parts), Math, Social Studies, and Science. Employers and colleges rely on HiSet scores for hiring and enrollment. Intensive personal attention is provided to youth to help facilitate rapid attainment of the diploma. Certified instructors utilize HiSet prep-test programs, SmartBoards, and classroom seat-time to prepare students for their HiSet tests.

These HiSet classes are especially important for our older residents. Many have had so many failed previous placements in foster care and group homes that education has taken a backseat to the shuffle around the state in search for an environment appropriate for their needs. Without a HiSet, these children would enter young adulthood unprepared for employment.

Welding Class for Adolescents

This is “hands on” education!

NCCER-certified Welding Instructors teach youth the skills necessary to obtain lucrative employment. Utilizing traditional and innovative teaching methods, instructors model employable work ethics while instructing youth in the safe use of oxy-acetylene cutting operations, plasma cutting, stick welding and wire welding.

Qualifying students earn National Recognition through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Some of Louisiana’s most promising job opportunities include work for welders. We want to make certain our residents are prepared for a successful future!

Welding class learning grinding techniques.

Construction workshop in Allen Career Center at Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home

Construction Workshop

This large, fully-equipped, construction workshop is a hands-on lab for students. We want our kids to leave our care with the skills they need to build a successful life for themselves and the families they will have in the future.