CAHS Students creating floor plans in the Architectural Drafting class
October is National Careers in Construction Month and with shortages of skilled tradesmen in the territory, Nancy Callwood, VIDE director of the State Office of Career & Technical Education and Adult Education, said it is important to highlight and promote careers in skilled trade industries, such as construction.
This month, students across the territory are encouraged to reconsider a traditional path to success. “We need to stop promoting college as the only worthy path to success and treat skilled trades with the dignity they deserve,” Callwood said.
CTE Department Chair, Ms. Straun, looks through floor plans designed by CAHS students in her Architectural Drafting Class
The construction boom taking place in the U.S. Virgin Islands following the historic destruction created by Hurricanes Irma and Maria has exposed the need for a skilled workforce with construction experience, Callwood further pointed out. With an influx of U.S.-based construction companies taking the lion’s share of contracts to rebuild homes and businesses, Callwood says, “We want our students to strive to be construction managers and licensed entrepreneurs.”
However, Career and Technical Education course offerings differ across the two districts. The St. Thomas-St. John District allows students to earn industry certifications and experience in carpentry, plumbing, electricity, and architectural drafting, while the St. Croix District offers welding, electricity, carpentry, millwright, and HVAC certifications.
Callwood indicates the availability of certain courses relies heavily on the availability of teachers. Regardless of the course selection, students are required to take a preliminary National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) core class “before any construction tract in order to learn basic safety, communication skills and an introduction to construction drawings,” Callwood said.
Students work on connecting pipes for staged bathrooms in the Plumbing Class
“At the end of their construction path, many students have the opportunity to experience on-the-job training, where businesses in the community can add the hands-on training to what students learn in the classroom,” she added. Callwood noted the State Office of Career & Technical Education and Adult Education are working to expand opportunities for real-world experience through partnerships with local businesses and the Department of Education’s Maintenance Division.
Students who are detail-oriented, creative, and possess a positive attitude are poised to succeed in this line of work, Callwood said. Those interested in learning a skilled trade should speak with their guidance counselor and must be in 9th grade to enter the program.