Two CedarBridge Academy students had the chance to obtain some "hands-on'' professional experience in computer servicing this term when they took part in their school's annual "Work Experience Course''.

Ricketa Warner and Quinton Jones have spent three afternoons a week learning about motherboards and microchips at Applied Computer Technology's Service Department so they can, in the words of CedarBridge's cooperative education teacher Theresa Millett, "have an opportunity to take a look at what interests them and make choices about what they want to do in the future''.

"When we hear a student saying they really don't want to do something,'' she explained, "it shows that this scheme has been successful because it means that they have at least had the opportunity to see if they enjoy it or not.'' Ms Millett added that the course was open to all Senior Two students and that they could choose any professional field to go into.

"We have students working in law and insurance firms and in the hospital's emergency room,'' she said. "There's a deaf student working in a photography lab, a student in a forensic lab and we even managed to get one young man up in the air traffic control tower at the airport.'' Sixteen-year-old Quinton was one of the 18 students to take part.

Asked how it was going, he said: "It's all right. You get to learn a lot about lots of different things, like how to fix printers, about diagnosis and quick restoration.'' He explained that he had always been interested in working with computers and outlined his plans for the near future.

"I'd like to go to college and study computer sciences, then come back here and pass the tests required to go on to a higher level,'' he said.

But Ricketa, also 16, was a trainee from last year who liked it so much that she asked to come back in her own time.

Asked if she felt the scheme had been a success, she said: "Definitely. This experience has been very valuable because it has given me an inside view into what the field is like.

"And it's given me the opportunity to make up my mind about the future.'' In agreement was her technical supervisor at A.C.T., DaCosta Larrier, who said: "Ricketa's experience was so positive that upon completion she requested the chance to continue her training with us.'' Mr. Larrier explained that Ricketa is currently studying to pass her A exam.

"This certificate is recognised by all as the entry-level, industry-wide standard for measuring technical skills,'' he said.

Ms Millett also said she felt that the programme, now in its third year, was a hands-down success.

"The students absolutely love going out in the field,'' she said. "It's great because it not only gives students that hands-on experience they need to enter the job market, but it also allows them to develop working relationships with companies early on.'' But Ms Millett added that this practical experience was only one part of the complete course, which included lectures for everyone in the school from experts in various professional fields and teaching students how to handle themselves in job interviews.

On this area, Ricketa said: "It's really scary. I mean, even though you're only having practice interviews with people you know, it's a really frightening experience.'' Apart from this, the student said she felt otherwise reasonably confident when it came to deciding on her plans for the future.

And asked if she had any advice for students waiting to face such challenges, Ricketa urged: "I would just tell them to follow what they believe in. Dreams can always come true if you really want them to.''