Vocational and Life Studies
Vocational and Life Studies (VALS)
Non-Credit Workforce Credentials
The Vocational and Life Studies (VALS) Workforce Credentials prepare young adults to transition into independent living with a focus on vocational and employability skills. The four semester Vocational and Life Studies (VALS) Workforce Credentials are a collaborative effort between the Pleasantville Union Free School District Laboratory School and Westchester Community College.
*Please note: individuals must be enrolled in the Pleasantville Lab School through Pleasantville School District to receive these credentials.
After year one, the student may earn the VALS Foundational workforce credential, and after year two, the student may earn the VALS Comprehensive workforce credential.
Program Goals and Outcomes:
- Acquire and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain employment.
- Acquire and demonstrate the executive functioning, social, self-management and problem-solving skills necessary to be productive in a job and in life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of attitude and professional ethics.
- Acquire and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for independent living.
Vocational and Life Studies (VALS) Workforce Credential Certificate Program Requirements:
- 80% attendance
- Complete and pass all Vocational and Life Studies (VALS) program requirements
VALS Foundational Course Requirements – Year 1
| Fall 1 | Spring 1 | |
| Skills for Living through Culinary | Skills for Living through Culinary | |
| Computer Fundamentals, including Keyboarding | Computer Fundamentals, including Keyboarding | |
| Personal Financial Management | Personal Financial Management | |
| Vocational Exploration | Job Readiness | |
| Internship | Internship | |
| Community Mobility | Community Mobility | |
| Health & Living | Health & Living | |
VALS Comprehensive Course Requirements – Year 2
| Fall 2 | Spring 2 | |
| Skills for Living through Culinary, Part 2 | Skills for Living through Culinary, Part 2 | |
| Computer Applications, including Microsoft Office | Computer Applications, including Microsoft Office | |
| Personal Financial Management | Personal Financial Management | |
| Workplace Communication | Workplace Seminar, including Skills for the Transition to Employment | |
| Internship | Internship | |
| Community Mobility | Community Mobility | |
| Health & Living | Health & Living | |
In addition to these programs, students may take WCC college-level courses for audit, or in some cases with approval, for credit.
For further information about these Workforce Credentials or the Pleasantville Lab School at Westchester Community College, please contact Kristen Weiss weissk@pleasantvilleschools.org or Kristine Bunyea Kristine.Bunyea@sunywcc.edu.