Several students were recently recognized for their acceptance as registered apprentices through the St. Joseph County Career & Technical Education Consortium.
As an official sponsor for Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeships, St. Joseph County CTE is aiming to open up a new way for students to earn credentials in a career they are excited to enter, while partnering with local employers to help grow their own workforce.
Students enrolled in a CTE program have the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship which provides not only classroom instruction, but also paid on the job learning with a local employer. “Our hope is that these students will complete the apprenticeship program by the end of their senior year or shortly after graduation,” CTE Work-Based Learning Coordinator Sarah Beckle said. “But if it takes longer, we will continue to partner with the student and the employer to see them through the process to completion so that they can earn that Department of Labor credential.”
New Registered Apprenticeships include:
Cody Reese, Industrial Manufacturing Technician at American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM)
Cody recently graduated from Constantine High School after completing two years in the Welding program. He is the first student to be a registered apprentice at AAM, with the hope more students from CTE programs will be able to have a similar opportunity. During this apprenticeship, Cody will spend several weeks rotating through every department of AAM, getting a full understanding of the manufacturing process.
Kennedy Cupp, IT Help Desk, Community Mental Health
Kennedy is a recent graduate of Mendon High School and completed the CTE Computer Networking & Cybersecurity program. Kennedy plans to take full advantage of the opportunity to expand her computer knowledge and skills in the field of information technology.
Troy Demas, Construction Craft Laborer, JD Yoder Construction
Troy is a senior at Constantine who is returning to the Construction Trades-Residential Building program at Three Rivers this fall while continuing his apprenticeship with JD Yoder. As part of his CTE class, Troy was instrumental in helping to complete two houses for Habitat for Humanity in Three Rivers.
Devin Dague, Teacher Aide, St. Joseph County ISD
Devin is a senior at Sturgis High School who recently completed the first year of CTE’s new Teacher Academy program. She started her registered apprenticeship at the Pathfinder Educational Center this spring and will continue working this summer and during her senior year of high school while enrolled in the second year of Teacher Academy.
Gracey Loker, Teacher Aide, St. Joseph County ISD
Gracey is a senior at Centreville who will also be a second-year Teacher Academy student this fall. She also began a registered apprenticeship at Pathfinder during her junior year and will continue through the summer and coming year. While not a part of the apprenticeship program but still exciting, Gracey is looking forward to spending two weeks in the Dominican Republic on her second mission trip to work in a school with special needs students.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the students in St. Joseph County,” CTE Director Jim Berry said. “I am excited about the growth of our registered apprenticeship opportunities and am looking forward to future placements in partnership with other local businesses. If it were not for the partnership with local employers willing to invest in our students and for the help of the staff at the UpJohn Institute for Employer Research/Michigan Works! Southwest, we would not be able to provide this opportunity for our CTE students.”
