3 minute read
BUILDING CAREERS
High school students weld, operate machinery, and meet with professionals at annual career fair for the trades
Students from high schools in San Joaquin County explored careers in the construction trades in Stockton at the 16th Annual Construction Trades Career Fair on Sept. 17.
Throughout the day, students learned about apprenticeships and careers from representatives from a wide variety of construction trades. Besides making new connections, students also had a chance to engage in activities to sample the skill sets of each trade.
“The Annual Construction Trades Fair is an invaluable opportunity for students to participate in activities and interact with prospective employers,” said Amanda Peters, director of College and Career Readiness at Manteca Unified School District, one of the school districts with students participating. “This real-world application of skills and networking is a critical aspect of CTE (career technical education) programming, as these programs help to prepare students for a meaningful career after high school. Opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning is another vital component of CTE coursework as students gain the knowledge and understanding of current industry trends, practices, and expectations.”
The Construction Trades Career Fair is organized by the San Joaquin Area Apprenticeships Association in partnership with the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) College and Career Readiness Department and the San Joaquin Building Trades Council. The San Joaquin Area Apprenticeship Coordinators Association is made up of 22 apprenticeship programs serving the region. About 600 students from seven school districts and the SJCOE attended the outdoor event.
“It was very informative to have this opportunity,” said Emilee, a senior at Escalon High School (Escalon Unified School District).
This was the second trades fair for Anthony, a senior at Venture Academy Family of Schools. He said he was taking this much more seriously the second time around. The fields he was most interested in were welding and pipefitting, he said.
“I want to see what kind of job opportunities there are,” he said. “I’m here to ask a lot of questions and see what it is really like.”
There is more than one path for a high school student interested in finding an “earn-while-you-learn” apprenticeship that can lead to a well-paying career in the construction trades or other fields. One way that students can get their start toward an apprenticeship program after graduation is through high school CTE programs. Contact your school or district for more information about CTE programs and pathways to apprenticeships.
The Apprenticeship Reaching Career Horizons (ARCH) program allows students to earn money as state-registered apprentices while working part-time and participating in dual enrollment classes through San Joaquin Delta College. CTE instructors and school administrators interested in establishing a high school apprenticeship program on their campus are encouraged to contact College and Career Readiness Director Pam Knapp at paknapp@sjcoe.net.
Employers Needed
Employers interested in growing their talent by hiring an ARCH high school apprentice are needed to provide more opportunities for students.
Ready to learn more?
Please visit the College & Career Readiness page at sjcoe.org/CollegeAndCareer to learn more about registered adult and high school apprenticeship programs.
