Students from Glenn High School were at Samet Corporation in Greensboro on Wednesday morning for the company’s annual Student Trades Day.
The showcase at Samet included several booths dedicated to electrical maintenance, plumbing, masonry, concrete mixing, drywall, painting, and other professional trades. Over 30 students got to speak with industry professionals and get hands-on experience with some of the tools and tasks that come with the jobs. These students all take technology, engineering, and design classes at Glenn, and this type of practice will be essential for getting them started in a fulfilling career.
“Many of them have never had the opportunity to work in these trades before,” said Alma Coles, Glenn’s career development coordinator. “It’s especially good for our girls since this is a nontraditional field for women.”
Students interested in working in trades after graduation can gain a lot from networking at events like Student Trades Day. Some of them may even turn today’s conversations into apprenticeships or job offers. TJ Baker from Samet says that trade companies depend on a dedicated and talented workforce to do indispensable jobs in every community, so it was reassuring for him to see how engaged and attentive Glenn’s aspiring tradespeople were at the event.
“Every year, I enjoy seeing how many students come out,” Baker said. “We’ve been seeing a little bit of a decline in skilled labor, so it’s really important to us that they’re here and that they’re showing a genuine interest.”
Glenn Senior Jose Aparicio sees trades as important work that can have a major impact on people’s lives, and he’s excited to contribute to that work. He says he’s not alone in that sentiment, and that many of his friends at school are also eager to help. They just need the right opportunities, and collaborations between Glenn and local businesses do a good job of creating those chances.
“It’s nice to know that they have an interest in reaching out to us,” Aparicio said. “There are a lot of kids in my school who want to do this, who want to make a difference, and we’re glad that they’re offering us opportunities to get out and make that difference.”