C-TEC seniors bolstering workforce in Licking County
NEWARK ― C-TEC student Trevin Reed has already worked for Mid-City Electric for a couple years.
On Friday, he and 53 other seniors, representing all 11 of Licking County's high schools, cemented their relationships with over 20 local employers during a special ceremony at which they signed work study apprenticeships for this school year.
"I'm doing pretty well," Reed said about balancing school work with being in the workforce. "I like how C-TEC does it. The teachers are great, but they treat you like men. I'll probably do a pre-fab job, then get out into the field and see what's available."
"I knew I wanted to get into something in the trades, and I was able to get an early start," said Reed, one of four students from Heath to choose electrical trades. It was by far the most popular decision, as 25 of the 54 will be working for either Weekley Electric, Settle Muter Electric, Denier Electric, Accurate Electric or the Electrical Trades Center.
Weekley Electric was represented by Curt Bragg, project manager and part owner, and Danyelle Dunn. He was thrilled to get three new employees.
"It allows them to work. They gain knowledge, and we get relationships," Bragg said. "It gives them a lot better knowledge of the trade and a better understanding of what it's going to look like when they get out of school. They can decide if they want to keep doing it, or if they want to change their occupation, they can still do that."
Bragg is really impressed with C-TEC's work study program.
"The effort to place the kids is really good, and everyone tries to make it work out," he said. "I think this is the largest class they've had."
Brian Wilfong, communications coordinator for C-TEC, pointed out that students can apply for the program throughout the year.
"Last year, we ended up with 99, and this year, we expect it to be well over 100," he said. "They earned $1.16 million in pre-tax wages last year."
C-TEC School to Work coordinator Vicki Reed, who introduced each student as they signed their apprenticeship, as well as the employers with whom they were paired, stressed that the seniors were not just students but also part of the workforce.
"Most of them worked all summer, and a lot of them play varsity sports, are in marching band or take part in other activities," Reed said.
Other fields represented for the apprenticeships included clinical care, construction technology, cosmetology, diesel and power equipment mechanics, medical assisting, physical therapy and exercise science, teaching careers and welding and metal fabrication.
Licking Valley senior Taylor McDonald is going into clinical care as a nurse and has worked at Licking Memorial Hospital full time since the summer.
"It's a great opportunity to experience the health care field and learn things that you normally wouldn't in school," McDonald said.
Administrators from the school districts proudly looked on as their students were introduced in front of their families and the entire student body.
"I think it's great that the kids get real world interactions in their senior year," Heath Superintendent Trevor Thomas said. "It's also positive that we can celebrate this like we are today. We have five or six kids here today. It's fantastic for the kids and Heath. Because of COVID, we did not get to see some of these partnerships before, but now it's really positive to see it growing again."
Granville High School Principal Scott Hinton said his school is seeing a historical high number of students interested in the trades.
"I think we have twice as many juniors as we've ever had, and those numbers continue to grow," he said. "There's a lot more information available to educate students about the possibilities."
As the students were introduced and united with their employers, they were greeted by Heath Newark Licking County Port Authority President and CEO Rick Platt and Licking County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jennifer McDonald.
"The skilled trades are in high demand, at high salaries," McDonald said.
C-TEC Superintendent Joyce Malainy said the program wouldn't be possible without the tremendous partnerships with employers and the community. "Employers are clamoring for our students with their skills," she said.
Michelle Snow, C-TEC Secondary Center director, said the seniors had to meet qualifications to get the work-based learning: exemplary citizenship, technical skill, GPA and attendance.
"There are over 900 students from the student body in this auditorium," Snow said. "These are the first 54 to qualify. Who will be next?"
Employers taking part in this year's work-study program include:
Licking Memorial Hospital, Ohio Eastern Star Home, Cruikshank Plumbing, Project Construction, CK Construction, Robertson Construction, Bellos Salon, Bellezza Salon, New Phases Salon, Great Clips, Kokosing Construction, Layton Services, Coughlin Ford, Weekley Electric, Settle Muter Electric, Denier Electric, Accurate Electric, The Electrical Trades Center, Orr Health and Chiropractic, Results Chiro and Wellness, C-TEC pre-school, Nelson Tool Corporation and Countryside Automotive.
The schools represented, the seniors and their field of choice include:
Granville: Christinnah Appelt, teaching careers; Broden Swickard, electrical trades; Skylar McMillen, cosmetology.
Heath: Connor Davis, electrical trades; J. Lane Grady, construction technology; Ian Miller, eletrical trades; Elias Plummer, electrical trades; Trevin Reed, electrical trades; Jaelyn Duston, cosmetology.
Johnstown: Dillon Herald, electrical trades; Amanda Thomas, teaching careers; Trinity James-Piper, Welding and medical fabrication; Edward Stevens, diesel and power equipment mechanics.
Lakewood: Randall Adkins, diesel and power equipment mechanics; Adam Crawford, electrical trades; Nathan Gall, electrical trades; Brendon Thorp, electrical trades; Brady Vantu, construction technology; Brandon Webb, electrical trades.
Licking Heights: Tyler Jordan, electrical trades; Ryder Rhodeback, welding and metal fabrication.
Licking Valley: Isaiah Angus, electrical trades; Brody Bishop, electrical trades; Danica Boyce, physical therapy and exercise science; Matthew Lehman, electrical trades; Taylor McDonald, clinical care; Noah Scanlon, electrical trades; Brycen Smith, electrical trades; Jayden Smith, electrical trades; Jaden Varner, electrical trades; Hayden Waters, electrical trades; Regan Shumaker, cosmetology.
Newark: Aiden Dickinson, electrical trades; Landon Jenkins, construction technology; Brandon Miller, Jr, electrical trades; Mason Miller, electrical trades; Riley Gingerich, cosmetology; Blake Norman, medical assisting.
Newark Catholic: Aiden Parkinson, diesel and power equipment mechanics.
Northridge: Lance Foster, electrical trades; Logan Hupp, diesel and power equipment mechanics.
Utica: Kaelob Dunn, electrical trades; Brylee Garee, teaching careers; Ryan McCullough, construction technology; Aliyah Fluhart, cosmetology; Katelyn McLean, medical assisting; Hollianne Windle, clinical care.
Watkins Memorial: Vincent Burns, construction technology; Ross Edward, construction technology; Josephine Johnson, physical therapy and exercise science; Zachory Rodgers, electrical trades.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: C-TEC seniors bolstering workforce in Licking County
