TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — High school students in Leon and Wakulla Counties have another path to success in earning specialty certifications, free of charge allowing them to start working.
Raina Reinstein is a regular high school senior except she spends her time in the classroom earning a medical certification.
"It gives me a step ahead of everyone. I feel like I have an advantage. I'll already come out of high school with a profession. I can go work at a medical office," said Reinstein.
Lively Technical College's "Career in a Year" program gets students trained to enter the workforce.
In Raina's classes, she's learning to take vital signs, perform medical math, and care for a range of patients on a daily basis.
Students in the Lively medical program practice real-life situations in class. From working in a hospital to a long-term care facility to being prepared for emergency response. They're learning skills they'll use everyday.
"My high school covers it so I actually don't pay anything. So that's a really, really nice thing for my family so I can save up for college," said Reinstein.
Raina isn't stopping with her certification. She wants to get experience in a medical office before going back to school to become an RN.
Raina is one of close to 100 students participating in Lively Tech's dual enrollment programs making strides toward a successful career.
96 percent of students graduating from Lively Tech's medical program, are currently working, or in further training.
From welding to cosmetology to aviation high students, 16 years and older, can earn certifications in dozens of free specialty programs.
