Broken Arrow explores mechanical, plumbing apprenticeships for students
Launch the media gallery 1 playerAfter years of planning and preparation, Broken Arrow Public Schools is proud to unveil a new paid apprenticeship program for students to explore careers and attain journeymen licenses in the plumbing and mechanical fields.
The new program is made possible with the help of several BAPS employees. Randy Few and James Warren, both BAPS maintenance employees and licensed professionals, have signed over their licenses for district use to be able to take on the apprentices. This will allow students to have on-the-job training and skills and logged hours to go toward a journeyman license.
“We are extremely excited about this opportunity and look forward to how maintenance can contribute to the education of our students and get them college and career ready,” said Bob Tolomeo, executive director of construction. “BAPS will be one of the first districts in the area to offer an apprenticeship program for students to work towards a trade journeyman’s license.”
The program is to commence immediately for this semester’s enrollment. The program will run similar to the Career Pathways program currently in place at BAPS where students explore an integrated collection of curriculum and programs that provide them with a roadmap for future success and an easy-to-read plan of study based on their interests. Pathways fall under clusters, which are broad occupational groupings. Each cluster is then divided into various pathways.
These pathways are designed through a collaboration with colleges, economic development agencies and local Broken Arrow employers to make sure students are learning the skills most needed to be best qualified for available job opportunities.