RPA High School Students Participate In Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Students working on their skill demonstration around proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment)
Ten RPA high school students participated in a Pre-Apprenticeship program with Central Oregon Community College (COCC) during the spring term at COCC, the first time RPA has partnered with COCC for this program.
The Pre-Apprenticeship program allowed students to learn about and develop skills to prepare for apprenticeship programs in a variety of trades careers, such as electrical, plumbing, welding, automotive, and more. The program specifically allowed students to explore future career options in the trades and introduced the following concepts:
– Orientation to skilled trades
– Construction math
– Reading blueprints
– Communication
– Employability
– Safety
– Hand Tools
– Power Tools
– Rigging
– Material Handling
RPA graduates, Bella Medina and Carter Nivison, showing off their first construction project, a sawhorse made from scratch using plans and measurements developed by the students.
“I really appreciate this opportunity. Thank you so much for making this possible and for allowing me to participate. I learned so much,” said Cade McDowell, a current junior who plans to continue COCC classes next year as a senior.
In addition to allowing students to explore these career options and develop specific trades-oriented skills, students were given the opportunity to earn the National Center for Construction Education and Research Certification (NCCER), which is a nationally recognized certificate, showing an employee is prepared to start an apprenticeship program in the trades.
RPA students, Cade McDowell and Lane Rehberg, showing off their first construction project, a sawhorse made from scratch using plans and measurements developed by the students.
“I was thrilled that we were able to partner with COCC to offer this opportunity to our students,” said Hallie Caron, Assistant Director of Student and Teacher Support. “The COCC instructors were incredibly supportive and flexible with our students, and they provided significant hands-on learning for students who wanted to explore options for their future. All of the students were able to demonstrate their skills and expressed deep gratitude for the experience.”
