Page 14 - MTWISummer2024

CTE / Construction
Page 14 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

MPS’ Largest Group of Construction Youth Apprentices So Far

Commit to Facilities Program

Work in the skilled construction trades to fill out applications, put together résumés, and
means job security, Wisconsin Bureau of conduct themselves in job interviews.
Apprenticeship Standards Director David Polk “We want to make sure that we do every-
said on Senior Signing Night. “This is the most thing we can to put actions in place so you can be
secure job you can have. You’re always going to successful,” Cherney said.
have work. There’s always going to be a need” Giles Patterson, the Youth Apprenticeship
for workers in the skilled trades, said Polk, an Program administrator for Facilities and Mainte-
MPS alumnus and a licensed plumber. nance, told the students, “All we ask that you do
Darryl L. Jackson, of the Milwaukee Board your part, and we’ll do our part.”
of School Directors, told students he, too, started Madison Kyles is a junior at Rufus King
in the skilled trades after graduating from the International High School who is six months
former Milwaukee Trade and Technical High into her youth apprenticeship in the Facilities
School, now Bradley Technology and Trade electrical shop. She comes from a family of
School. tradespeople and aspires to be a master electri-
“People say the trades don’t exist at MPS. cian.
Clearly, they do,” Jackson said. “Be grateful for this experience, because it
“The opportunity that you all have today is is a really great experience,” Madison told the
life changing, and not just for you — for your new youth apprentices. “There are a lot of good
brothers, your sisters, anybody else who looks up people here who are willing to help you. Please
to you,” he told the new youth apprentices. run with this opportunity.”
Milwaukee Public Schools going to be so much fun for me,” said Luis, who The school district provides the youth
Milwaukee Public Schools’ newest group said he’s always been curious about how wiring apprentices with their first pair of work boots
of construction youth apprentices was its biggest works. “I really appreciate the opportunity and, when needed, helps with transportation and
yet, and the students represent the most high they’ve given me, and I can’t wait to see what tutoring. The district’s work-based learning spe- mps.milwaukee.
schools since the program began five years ago. happens in the future.” cialists in schools make sure students know how k12.wi.us
Twenty-nine Milwaukee Public Schools Signing Night for MPS youth apprentices
juniors and seniors from 15 schools committed to is at least as significant as signing day is for the
learn their chosen trades at the MPS Department NCAA’s athletes, Cherney said. “They’re set,”
of Facilities and Maintenance Services, 1124 N. she said of the MPS students. That’s because WHS Consumer Home & Auto
11th St. youth apprenticeships give students an advantage
That’s also where the new youth appren- as they work toward a secure future for them- Students Complete Wall Project
tices took part in Signing Night ceremonies in selves — and for their families.
February, in front of cheering family members “We are creating generational wealth,” Dan Whitewater Unified School
and MPS staff. Students were to get paid while Swiatkowski told the students. Swiatkowski is District
they worked and learned skills in plumbing, the apprenticeship program administrator for Whitewater High
electrical, steamfitting, machine shop, and sheet MPS Facilities and Maintenance. School (WHS) Con-
metal work. Swiatkowski told the youth apprentices sumer Home and Auto
The previous year, 13 students from five they would begin by learning safety and first aid students have accomplished
schools committed to the construction youth in the classroom before advancing to the hands- remarkable feats and built
apprenticeship program. The juniors from last on portion of the apprenticeship. each student valuable skills during a
year were still enrolled in the program, so Facili- is paired with a mentor who is a journeyman in lengthy, hands-on project.
ties and Maintenance teaches and employs about their chosen trade. The comprehensive
three dozen youth apprentices now. MPS in total “Wherever that journeyman goes, you go. wall project equipped stu-
has about 100 youth apprentices; Wisconsin has Whatever that journeyman does, you do. That’s dents with theoretical
79 apprenticeship pathways to varied careers. how you learn a skill. That’s how you learn a understanding and allowed
The new youth apprentices are from Mil- trade,” said Swiatkowski, who also is a mainte- them to apply their learning
waukee School of Languages, Hamilton, Vincent, nance and repair supervisor for MPS. in a practical setting. The students began with themselves. This project always brings a sense
Golda Meir, North Division, South Accelerated High school seniors in the program would the fundamentals of construction, learning of accomplishment and confidence for the stu-
Academy, Audubon, South Division, Reagan, start working as soon as mid-March, going to how to build and frame a 4’ by 4’ wall using dents.”
King, Riverside, Pulaski, MacDowell, Obama, school half days and working half days until the 2x4s, with studs precisely spaced at 16 inches The success of this semester-long
and Bradley Technology and Trade. It’s not only end of the school year. They then work full time on center. endeavor underscores the effectiveness of
the largest group of schools, it’s the most diverse, over the summer. Students next cut and hung drywall on experiential learning in preparing students
noted Erin Cherney, the MPS College and Career Juniors were to work on any school non- the frame and were introduced to the art of for practical challenges they may encounter
Readiness Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator — attendance weekday until the end of the school mudding both flat and corner seams. Then, in the future. The Consumer Home and Auto
that is, they go beyond the traditional schools year. They will work full time for a week at the they delved into electrical work and, after program at WHS continues to provide students
offering classes in the trades. end of summer and then start half days of work installing a one-way light switch, finished their with a dynamic and engaging education that
Maw Shu Klay, a senior at Riverside uni- in the fall. project with paint, using proper technique. goes beyond the classroom, preparing them
versity High School, signed up for a youth After graduating from high school, the “I am so proud of the hard work the stu- for success in both their personal and profes-
apprenticeship in sheet metal work, where he youth apprentices can go on to apply to a union dents put into this extensive project. We spent sional lives.
would be learning about heating and cooling or an employer who has a registered apprentice- extra time honing techniques in the hands-on
systems. “Building and repairing things, when ship available. MPS and the nonprofit WRTP steps that they will likely use in their own
things work out — I really like seeing that kind | BIG STeP will work with students to ensure homes in the future,” said Mr. Justin Buntrock, www.wwusd.org
of stuff,” Maw Shu said. they meet any union qualifications, and MPS WHS Automotive instructor. “My favorite
Pulaski senior Luis Gallegos was to be a also helps students navigate the union and new part is watching the excitement in the students
youth apprentice in the electrical shop. “This is employer along the way. “We don’t leave them when they flip the light switch they installed
hanging,” Cherney said.