“This is cool!” “This is fun.” “I’m actually good at this.” Those were among the comments of the 44 ninth-grade students from Cuyahoga Heights High School who recently toured the SMART Local 33 Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Training Center in Parma. “I’m sure almost all of the students had no idea what to expect,” said Sheila Ogden, Freshman Foundations teacher.
Organized by Julie Regula, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Specialist, in partnership with Hank Strahan of SMART 33 and Cuyahoga Heights Intervention Specialist Dr. Brian Friedt, the tour introduced students to career pathways within the construction trades with respect to the sheet metal industry. The tour highlighted the importance of career exploration and gave students a deeper understanding of the opportunities available in the skilled trades workforce as a post-secondary option.
During the tour, students gained exposure to the skills and technology used in the industry today. They tested their welding abilities using a welding simulator and formed ductwork on a brake. The experience provided valuable insight into how apprenticeships combine classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training to prepare students for successful careers.
