The Local 412 Outreach & Education Foundation and representatives of Central Consolidated Schools celebrated the completion of a three week apprenticeship by eight recent graduates within the district.
The Apprenticeship Readiness Program, that took place in Shiprock, marks the first ever cohort after school board president, Gary Montoya, inquired about trades program in Career and Technical Education during a school board meeting.
Montoya said he was put in contact with executive director at 412 Outreach and Education Foundation, Joan Baker, who provided information to the work being done with students across the state.
After a visit to West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, Montoya said it was evident the amount of passion the students had for the program.
Graduates will travel across the state to begin their apprenticeships and employment, with some heading as far as Santa Teresa in southern New Mexico.
Before the apprenticeship, students completed the Local 412 Apprenticeship Readiness Program and earned industry-recognized credentials under instructor, Frank Lopez.
Lopez taught the students construction math, tape measurement readings and the OSHA 10 Safety Training, said Chantel Mares, instructor.
Arianna Talk, a Newcomb High School graduate, said while she was at a college fair the Local 412 sparked some interest in her after she heard she could learn about welding.
“I’ve only been doing welding since my senior year, I did it for half a semester,” she said.
Math was a common struggle among the graduates and Talk said it was a topic she had to be refreshed on.
Mental health was also a component in the program with a provider visiting the cohort to speak on the importance of reaching out if they experience anxiety or depression while away on a job.
Chuck Thomas, CTE teacher at Tse Bitai Middle School, also spoke to the importance of being in a right mind set while on a job site during his closing remarks at the ceremony.
“Take care of one another out there,” he said. “It’s awesome. At the same time it can be brutal.”
Thomas offered words of advice to the students on work ethic and the journey they will take in the industry.
Anthony Barber, a Shiprock High School graduate, said he had a support system from his peers during the program in times of need.
“Communication is the most important thing,” he said. “Because without it you really have no way of knowing what to do.”
The district will be entering into a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the Apprenticeship Readiness Program curriculum to be delivered as a CTE program.
Under the partnership, the Local 412 will authorize instructors, provide curriculum, technical assistance, instructor training and ongoing program support to ensure students continue to receive high-quality, industry-recognized training.
“We didn’t simply come into the community to train a class and leave,” said Baker. “By partnering with Central Consolidated School District to offer this curriculum as Career Technical Education, we are ensuring that future generations of students will have access to meaningful careers in the skilled trades. This is not the end of our partnership, it is the beginning.”
During the ceremony, Baker also offered words of encouragement to the graduates on their future endeavors in their fields.
“Hopefully, these opportunities will help strengthen not just the students themselves, but their families and the communities from which they come,” Montoya said. “I personally would like to thank all of the participants and the union for the work they have done, and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”