GC Tech Seniors Commit To Skilled Trades

From Levittown Schools: Administrators, faculty, students and families gathered in the auditorium of Levittown’s Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center on May 8 to honor more than 25 seniors seeking to continue their technical education or pursue a career in residential wiring, HVAC, or construction related trades. Known as SkillsUSA and Klein Tools’ first National Signing Day, GC Tech was one of 300 schools from throughout the country to mark the occasion as thousands of U.S. seniors shared their post-graduation career plans.

The event, similar to National Signing Day for high school student-athletes, was created to help close the skills gap and raise awareness of career options in the skilled trades. GC Tech, in the Levittown Public Schools, is a unique school program dedicated to teaching comprehensive career and technical skills. With a dedicated staff, the program offers a hands-on learning experience in a variety of skilled trades such as automotive technology, computer animation, cosmetology, culinary arts, electrical technology and more.

With the help of Klein Tools representatives, the school was one of only five schools throughout the country to have their ceremony streamed live on Klein Tools’ Facebook page. GC Tech’s SkillsUSA advisers Kristina Cuomo and Jennifer Pernick helped facilitate the special event. “All of you are so important to the future workforce,” said Ms. Cuomo. “Currently, many companies are finding such a shortage of skilled workers, also known as the skills gap that exists in our nation right now. All of you who are choosing to learn a skill are making advances to decrease that skills gap and making our communities stronger.”

Seniors from GC Tech’s automotive technology, electrical technology and construction management programs were introduced one by one onto the stage as they shared their plans to continue to hone their skills and pursue different trades. Each student announced their future intentions for employment, furthering their education or applying for an apprenticeship program and signed letters indicating their commitment to their futures. The students all received a Klein Tools T-shirt, hat, bag and pliers. Klein Tools representative John Bucci, GC Tech Assistant Director Sally Maya and each student’s GC Tech teacher congratulated them on the stage after they proudly signed. The district congratulates all the students who participated in the National Signing Day and thanks SkillsUSA and Klein Tools for putting together a wonderful event.