JCHS students visit Carpenters Apprentice Training Center

Joliet Central High School students in Holly Camerano and Timothy Grygiel’s classes took a field trip to a Carpenters Local Union 174 Training Center on November 6 to learn about the apprentice program and observe apprentices in action.

Grygiel said, “We provided students the opportunity to go the Carpenters Apprentice and Training Facility to tour the various workshops and classrooms the apprentices work in as well as have the opportunity to talk to instructors and current apprentice students to learn more about this trade.”

The students learned about the four-year apprenticeship application process and the programs, positions and wage levels that follow apprenticeship completion. Knowledge was gained regarding the skills and specialties obtained by the apprentices while at the facility, such as welding, cabinetry, roofing, scaffolding, and more.

The Joliet Central students were offered this opportunity through the Career & Technical Education courses, which exposes students to in-demand specialized careers such as the auto repair, welding, and carpentry, among others. After attending this field trip, eight students in attendance expressed increased interest in pursuing a career in carpentry.

Chris McGuffey, Curriculum Director for Career & Technical Education, said “Through CTE classes, students explore a variety of technical skills as they work through a career path to a high skill career. This is another example of CTE teachers at JTHS leverage community partnerships to connect students with their post-secondary career goals.”