Over the last month, the Trades Academy has been hard at work, travelling around the county and engaging students in a variety of classroom visits and community events to stimulate interest in trade education. Safety is key when operating heavy machinery and using power tools- all requirements when working in the trades- so the Trades Academy enlisted the help of Paul Hurd, of Pacific Builders to conduct Equipment Safety Talks for the various trades-related classes around the County. As an On-site OSHA Inspector, Paul has the technical and practical knowledge to give students a well-rounded idea of how to be safest in the classroom and on a future jobsite. Ensuring the students are well practiced in safety guidelines creates a foundation from which to build the trades workforce Humboldt County needs. Paul will be heading to Fortuna, Ferndale, and South Fork high schools to conduct further safety talks within the next few weeks.
The Trades Academy is not just in the classroom! Seminars and events are yet another great way to get students participating in their learning and career exploration. On September 24th, approximately 30 students and their parents attended the Education @ Work Trades Panel held in the Arcata High School Library to learn from a panel of experts. Led by Jim Ritter of the Career Frontiers program, the Panel began with introductions of the four panelists: Chris Albright of O&M Industries, Tony Lucchesi of Pacific Builders, Dale Maples of Maples Plumbing and Heating, and Kerry Mayer, Dean of Career Education at College of the Redwoods (CR) and was full of testimony of success through involvement in trades industries. As the four panelists demonstrated, there are a variety of ways to enter into the world of Trades; whether that be through apprenticeship, Veterans in Piping Program, as mentioned by Dale Maples, or certifications offered by CR. The need for skilled trade workers is growing exponentially world-wide and there are a multitude of opportunities for everyone with a professional and established network here locally to help interested students find their path and succeed. For video footage of the Trades Panel, follow this link.
Lastly, the Third Annual Redwood Region Resource Rally hosted over 200 high school students from all over Northern California on September 27th in the Eel River Valley. Students were divided into smaller groups and toured around forestry focused industries in Scotia and agricultural based businesses in Fortuna, Ferndale, and Pepperwood in an effort to learn about a myriad of local trade industry opportunities. Representatives from all over Humboldt County’s trades industries, Humboldt State University, and College of the Redwoods were all present to get students excited about their career goals; including our very own Jack Sheppard and the Trades Academy Mobile Lab, which was available for demonstrations. Many thanks to the Redwood Agricultural Education Foundation for ensuring the success and continuation of this fantastic opportunity.
