A variety of schools and organizations are introducing people of all ages to the possibilities available in manufacturing. 

Jennifer Nichols, Executive Director, Principal, Aspire Trade High School, Huntersville, N. C.

Students in this trade high school come in as freshmen and choose a path. They don’t typically change as it’s a rigorous program. The school currently offers welding and fabrication, carpentry, masonry, HVAC, plumbing, auto collision, medical assisting and medical coding, as well as a culinary program. In the future, the school is planning on adding a hydroponic program, along with horticulture.

These students go to their trade every single day for four years, all year, except for their senior year where in the second semester they will spend time in apprenticeships. “When they’re not in their lab, there is a companion class that goes along with it so that they can get the soft skills. That companion class is the promise we made to our partners,” states Nichols.

Furthermore, Nichols says the students are using industry-standard tools and equipment and the National Center for Construction Education and Research curriculum. “Then, in May of their senior year, they’ll actually put in applications for the companies and most of them should have their position before they walk the stage.”

They come out, concludes Nichols, with what one would get in a two-year community college program in the trades. Nichols describes this as Level 3 Ready-To-Go-To-Work.

On Your Side Tonight WBTV Interview with Jamie Boll and Jennifer Nichols