The Riverchase Career Connection Center, otherwise known as RC3, opened its doors in August 2019 as a new technical and vocational school for students at Hoover and Spain Park High Schools. At 92,000 square feet, the career training facility was built with the latest technological development with six academy programs: Culinary and Hospitality, Cyber Innovation, Fire Science, Health Science, Skilled Trades, and Cosmetology & Barbering.
Now, RC3 is getting ready to unveil its seventh program, a new Automotive Academy, in August of this year.
“We’re extremely excited,” said Debra Smith, executive director for career and technical education. ” A lot of technicians are aging out now, as is the case with a lot of other fields as well. We worked with some of our industry partners to fill a need in this area.”
These partners include Toyota, Honda and Mercedes, who are providing cars for the students to work on as part of the program. As several scholarships have already been awarded to students in the other programs, Smith said they hope to have them available for the automotive students as well.
“As we grow and develop, that would be the dream,” Smith said.
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Photo by Allison Carpenter
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Photo Courtesy of RC3
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Photo by Allison Carpenter
Four years ago, RC3 began hosting a Masquerade Ball fundraiser to help provide scholarships. Chef Alethea Carter, lead instructor for the Culinary & Hospitality Academy, said the Ball is an in-house semi-formal to formal event with dining and entertainment.
“We give guests an opportunity to participate in a silent auction that is a separate fundraiser that happens during the Masquerade Ball,” Carter said. “These fundraisers go toward scholarships for the students as well.”
Two years ago, they started the FLAME award, an acronym standing for Fearless Leadership Accomplished through Meals and Education. This year’s recipient is David Cohen, owner of The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop, who has been heavily invested in the students at Hoover City Schools.
“This award is for people who are active in secondary and postsecondary education who are a valuable asset to RC3, whether it’s coming to speak or helping to set up internships,” Carter said.
RC3 is the site of the former Pelham Middle School, which was renovated in 2017. It serves as a simulated work experience for students in Grades 10-12.
“A lot of people overthink it, but we are a school,” Smith said. “We don’t have bells. The students clock in and out just like they would with a regular job. They either work in the morning or in the afternoon. And if they can’t make it, they call us—not the parents.”
RC3 gives students a chance to obtain certification in their field of interest before graduation, and if they choose to delay or not attend college, they can be equipped with the skills they need to obtain a job upon graduation. These include the professionalism and people skills that are expected in a real job setting.
“Soft skills are essential skills,” Smith said. “They are just as important, if not more important.”
Riverchase Career Connection Center is located at 853 Willow Oak Drive in Hoover.
For more information, call 205-439-1900 or visit hoover10.smartsiteshost.com.