I am pleased to share information about the upcoming Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Career Fair scheduled for Monday, March 24, at San Juan Hills High School, from 5-7 p.m. Hosted by College & Career Advantage, this event coincides well with my proposed bill, AB 296, which would require school districts to organize at least one apprenticeship fair a year. The trades industry faces a growing demand for skilled workers, making apprenticeship programs more critical than ever.
Thankfully, they recognize the growing need and interest for skilled trade workers. The following trades will have booths at the fair: Build California, Operating & Maintenance Engineers, OC National Electrical Contractors Association, Southern California Pipe Trades, Phoenix Air Conditioning & Heating, Piping Industry Progress and Education, UA Local 582 Plumbers & Pipe Fitters and the Western States Carpenters.
Apprenticeships and training in skilled trades are an ideal alternative for high school students who don’t plan to attend a four-year college. Apprenticeships lead to well-paying jobs with good benefits and a lifetime of job security. CUSD has seen significant growth in its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE stands at the forefront of contemporary education, offering specialized training that prepares students for the workforce.
The Building Industry Technology Academy is a three-year (10th through 12th grades) construction trades training offered at San Juan Hills High. The curriculum and support services are provided, without cost, to California high schools by the California Homebuilding Foundation.
The District’s College and Career Advantage program has also established a partnership with the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters to create a structured pathway for students. This begins in middle school and high school and leads directly into the Carpenters Union apprenticeship program. As part of this program, students will have the opportunity to earn three industry-recognized certifications from the Carpenters Union.
The Orange County Electrical Training Institute (OCETI) is another training program that plays a vital role in workforce development, equipping apprentices with high-demand skills in the electrical industry. Apprenticeships include Inside Wireman, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Sound Telecommunications. They have nearly 400 students enrolled in their programs, reflecting strong interest and industry demand. OCETI graduates approximately 75 apprentices per year, helping to fill critical gaps in the skilled labor market.
Apprentices earn while they learn, with starting wages averaging $21 per hour, plus health benefits and pension plans. They receive pay increases every 6 to 12 months, incentivizing long-term career growth. Training covers essential skills, including electrical wiring, intelligent freeway systems and low-voltage communications. OCETI’s commitment to high-quality training and workforce readiness supports the local economy and strengthens infrastructure development.
In California, female-owned contracting businesses are growing exponentially. San Clemente resident Karen Prescott-Loeffler is Executive Director of the OC Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. Karen offers leadership and direction to support and promote contracting businesses owned by women, and for this I recently honored her as a 74th District Woman of the Year. She also created and administers “Magic Camp,” a weeklong camp that exposes high school girls to the trade of electrician. Electrical contracting companies send electricians to provide hands-on, fun activities that relate to the trade.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in September of 2023, California had 911,000 job openings. That means these are good-paying jobs that are going unfilled because employers cannot find people with the qualified experience to apply. For example, someone with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) would drive and transport goods up and down California’s highways. According to ZipRecruiter, these apprentices earn roughly $72,635, and that is just at the beginning.
The Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104 wrote, “Our Union represents over 10,000 members, and we currently have over 1,000 apprentices active in our programs training the next generation at our state-of-the-art facilities. Through apprenticeships, our members have developed both a pathway to the middle class and valuable skills to make them the best qualified workforce in the country.”
Our education system has promoted a “High School-to-Harvard” mentality that leaves a significant percentage of potential workers and well-paying jobs behind. It is my goal to help high schoolers who do not plan to attend college identify career opportunities in technical trades. I want to change the status quo and promote a “High School-to-Hard Hat” mentality, and it starts with providing information about opportunities directly to high school students.
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