By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

LeCroy Career Technical Center implemented an application and interview process last year as a part of becoming an Alabama Simulated Workforce.

LeCroy guidance counselor Michelle Law said the students who entered the program last year were more focused than their predecessors.

“It seemed like they were focused on what they wanted to do, and in the past I don’t know that that was the case,” Law said. “They were excited to be here. Their instructors were excited to see them. I feel like this year has been way more productive.”

She said at one school after receiving their acceptance letters “a group of girls started screaming with excitement … the guys were high fiving each other and hugging each other, so the children felt something special for being chosen to come here.”

Law said she had been surprised to see the students take the interview process seriously.

“They seemed excited about the interview, which was a little shocking to me,” Law said.

High school sophomores are applying this week in hopes of making it into a program at the tech center starting their junior year.

“Most of the programs out here are two year programs,” Law said.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 16.

The application process has not been implemented for career tech programs countywide and is specific to LeCroy, according to Law.

Each school has an assembly where Law presents information on the programs offered at LeCroy. Each sophomore also takes a tour of the tech center to find a program that interest them. Students then apply online.

From these applications, the number of candidates is narrowed based on grades, attendance and discipline.

“We only have so many spots out here, so we try to make it as fair as possible,” Law said.

The interview process ensures that students in the classes are really interested in the field as a career, not simply there to fill an elective, Law said.

Instructors conduct the interviews for their program and record scores on a rubric.

The instructors make the decision on who to accept to the class based on the interview.

Law said most of the programs also include certification opportunities.

Acceptance letters will be delivered to the schools on March 22 and 23.

“This year we are actually going to do a spring open house to get those new students in, meet the instructors and talk about fees and requirements for the next year,” Law said.

The cost of fees depends on the course. Fees cover the cost of an individual student’s supplies for the course.

Because most of the programs are two years long, juniors applying for the first time are usually limited to choosing law enforcement, firefighting and horticulture.

her requirements to be considered an Alabama Simulated Workplace include having a company name and protocol manual, requiring safety training, conducting yearly evaluations and celebrating accomplishments at the end of the year.