Everybody knows about the classic high school athlete signing their letter of intent to continue their athletic and academic career at a college, but what about continuing their education and career in the trades?
That’s what Battle Ground Public Schools seeks to highlight each May as high school students sign letters of intent to pursue apprenticeships for trade careers. The event started roughly six years ago with the idea of athlete signings, “what about our kids that are going into the trades,” Kris Neal, work-based learning coordinator at Battle Ground High School, said.
Many students who signed up at the event at the Lewisville campus in Battle Ground on Thursday, May 15, have already worked at an eligible capacity in a trade-skill field.
“We’re there to support students that are at their work sites, we don’t go in and tell them how to do the jobs because of course the employers know what they’re doing,” said Debbie Smith, work-based learning coordinator at Summit View High School. “But we love to be able to support our students.”
Smith explained the work-based learning coordinator role as assisting in soft skills training, such as teamwork, communication and evaluations to address issues such as being on time and attendance.
“We’ll have conversations with the student, and then it gives us an opportunity to support them and to help guide some things that they might need to work on or learn to advocate for themselves,” she said.
Oleg Botsman was one of the many students who participated in their apprenticeship signing day celebration. The event meant a lot to Botsman, including the fact that it marked the beginning of his life after high school as graduation loomed closer and closer. Botsman signed his apprenticeship for the Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC program.
“It means that I get to work in the future,” he said. “I chose this because I’m really like a handyman guy. I have a lot of connections in construction and I’ve always been thinking about to go work in construction. I had the opportunity to go to WSU, but I chose the electrical [route].”
Botsman dreams of having his own business someday, the focus of his business could include many options, he said. He also recommended to younger students interested in an apprenticeship program to never skip classes and steer clear of any addictions.
“Just work, save money, and don’t spend your money on some stupid stuff,” Botsman said.
Jen and Bergyn Tumlinson, with the Electrical Management Group of Washington, were in attendance, representing their apprenticeship program. Their four-year program includes 40 hours of work per week to gain on-the-job experience, followed by just one night a week for four hours of schooling. Jen Tumlinson said that the program ensures both hands-on training and lecture classes. The total amounts to 8,000 hours of jobsite training and work with the four years of weekly education.
“They kind of touch a little bit on everything on the electrical side,” Jen Tumlinson said. “So residential, commercial, industrial, it’s split up by years and then the fourth year is a lot of prep for passing the journeyman exam.”
Smith said roughly 30 students each school year go through the work-based learning program.
“And again we’re there to help support the student, help teach them those soft skills so that they can become really good employees,” she said. “And we want these students staying in this area. We want them to be excited about what’s being offered in this area for trades, but also for other businesses too.”
