Service Occupations

Service Occupations is an innovative program of study focusing on the training of students in a diverse array of skill sets in service related employment areas. Students learn in an environment that fosters a good work ethic, competitive time on task and appropriate work skills for each identified career area. Individual needs and abilities of students are addressed in order to foster personal accountability and pride in a job well done. The Service Occupations facility includes two laboratories where instruction is provided by two instructors and reinforced by instructional assistants. The two instructors each teach defined skills in order for each student to become skilled in a variety of areas. Group instruction is frequently utilized and team building activities are often incorporated.

The Service Occupations curriculum encompasses the areas of work place safety, grounds maintenance, cleaning practices, housekeeping, custodial and retail stock, as well as, kitchen safety, cooking and baking, food preparation, commercial dishwashing, pot washing, and commercial laundry services. All areas are instructed with the intent of achieving a level of competency commensurate with competitive employment. This is achieved by involving “live work experiences” whenever possible to provide the students with training that approximates what would be found in the work environment. Students are involved in clinical experiences involving janitorial cleaning, maintenance, grounds keeping, laundry and dishwashing around the school. Students take pride in their work, knowing that the school depends on them to do a “professional job” in order to function efficiently. With that end goal in mind, students are supported through a variety of services provided by BCTC and the Reading Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. These services may include a variety of work-based experiences including job shadowing, internships, and paid co-op jobs, job placement and on-the-job coaching, benefits and work incentive counseling, job seeking and retainment, and more. BCTC’s Service Occupations program has the ultimate goal of a seamless transition to gainful employment or further education.

Because of the uniqueness of this program, interested students and their parent/guardian are expected to schedule a visit to the program prior to making application to BCTC by contacting the Student Services Office or by contacting the student’s sending school Special Education representative. This will prevent the processing of the application from being delayed, since there is limited enrollment in this popular program.