CCTE students get hands-on training with help from local trade groups

Reading about cabling, electrical wiring and circuits is interesting, but not nearly as exciting as learning how they work from experts in the field.

Students from three district high schools had the opportunity to learn more about careers in industry sectors such as electrical, engineering, and construction and green building technologies at a hands-on training at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training center.

Organized by CCTE, more than 160 career technical education students from Hoover’s Sustainable Academy of Building and Engineering Academy and Lincoln and Morse High's engineering programs rotated through three labs, which consisted of Structured Cabling, Residential Electrical and a Bell and Signal Circuit.

Students worked in teams of two along with several expert electricians and mentors from the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) and the National Electrical Contractors Association to construct various live and functional circuits. The visit also included a tour of the training center and lunch.

The IBEW and Training Director Bert Richardson have been instrumental in working with the Hoover’s SABE academy over the last two years. The IBEW and EWMC continue to provide guest speakers, mentors, field trips, and various in-kind supports to students interested in the building and construction pathway.

For more information about the program, contact CCTE Program Manager Dean Darley at ddarley@sandi.net.