In order to help close the skills gap and raise awareness of career
options in the skilled trades, Lorain County JVS participated in the
SkillsUSA National Signing Day sponsored by Klein Tools, celebrating
thousands of high school seniors across the country pursuing a career in
the skilled trades. JVS was one of approximately 300 schools across the
U.S. participating in National Signing Day, which recognized over 2,500
students nationwide.
“On National Signing Day, we celebrate our high school seniors for
making the decision to pursue a career in the skilled trades,” said JVS
Superintendent Dr. Glenn Faircloth. “We are excited because our JVS
students have worked hard to acquire the necessary skills, credentials
and certificates to be career ready and now you are ready to join the
workforce.”
Chief Building Official with the City of Cleveland Building
Department, Mr. Tom Vanover, was a special guest and shared a few words
with the students. “The lack of skilled labor is the biggest challenge
we are facing right now. We are building more structures than we have
people to build them. We need people to build our buildings, and you are
those people. I’m very proud of the step that you have made. You have
put in your years and now you get the opportunity to go out into the
world and create something.”
In a style similar to “National Signing Day” events for high school
student athletes, nineteen students from the carpentry, heating and air
conditioning and masonry trades programs, were recognized as they signed
their “letters of intent” for a job offer. Students were celebrated
among school administrators, teachers, local business partners, family
and friends, as they take the next step in their career paths.
“The students who signed today are motivated and hardworking, and
because of the commitment from employers throughout our region, these
students have access to the training and mentorships that will allow
them to become masters in their trades,” said Megan Champagne, JVS
Building Trades Supervisor. “They are fully employed and will continue
in their fields post-graduation, helping to fill the skills gap in
Northeast Ohio as they commit to a career in the skilled trades.”
Ivan Breckner, Heating and Air Conditioning senior from North
Ridgeville, thought the day’s event was incredibly awesome. “I thought
it was super cool to give us kids, who have worked so hard to get our
training, our time to shine. This is a great thing that we are doing,
and our trades are crucial for the world moving forward.” Breckner
signed with Mr. Appliance of Elyria and will be their main refrigeration
technician.
“The first National Signing Day was a success thanks to Lorain County
JVS and its students,” says Mark Klein, co-president of Klein Tools.
“Best of luck to these students as they enter the skilled trades to
start their careers with their first pair of Klein Tools pliers.”
Students and the companies they signed with are listed below by associate school.
Amherst - Aaron Kukucka, carpentry senior, signed
with Star, Inc.; Joseph Newman, heating and air conditioning senior,
signed with Building Laborers’Local 310; Caleb Osko, heating and air
conditioning senior, signed with Gross Mechanical
Avon Lake - Angela Mazurek, carpentry senior, signed
with Petrick Property Group; Tucker McKinley, masonry trades senior,
signed with Trio Concrete Construction Inc.; Sean Shilliday, heating and
air conditioning senior, signed with Luxury Heating Company
Brookside - Bryson Baldwin, carpentry senior, signed
with Immaculate Interiors; Cayden Gainer, heating and air conditioning
senior, signed with JD Indoor Comfort; James Patton, heating and air
conditioning senior, signed with Total Line Refrigeration
Clearview - Dylan Rebman, carepentry senior, signed with Petrick Property Group
Elyria - Vera Nixon-Beckett, carpentry senior, signed with George’s Roofing
Firelands - Jacob Holland, heating and air conditioning senior, signed with Stack Heating Cooling and Electric
Midview - Joshua Abood, heating and air conditioning
senior, signed with LK Heating and Cooling; Savannah Engelman,
carpentry senior, signed with RGI, Inc.
North Ridgeville - Ivan Breckner, heating and air
conditioning senior, signed with Mr. Appliance; Timothy Burns, masonry
trades senior, signed with Sellers Concrete Company; Johnathan
Hollingsworth, heating and air conditioning senior, signed with Bay
Furnace; Rodger Leonard, carpentry senior, signed with Star, Inc.; Jacob
Rickard, carpentry senior, signed with The Wood Loft