The Allegan County Tech Center has been working to partner with the Wayland Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) to build a School-to-Registered-Apprenticeship (STRA) program for the Allegan Area ESA.

With the collaboration and agreement of local school districts, senior students will be able to use half their year working as an apprentice, earning money, attending class, and clocking hours for a journeyman’s card.

This STRA program, nicknamed Dual Enrollment for the Trades, will be for students interested in the Construction Trades. Applicants will initially be vetted through the Tech Center’s Building Trades 1 program. Upon high school graduation, students would remain in the program and become a registered apprentice through the U.S. Department of Labor.

Career Technical Education (CTE) sets students up for future success and the Allegan Tech Center is looking for ways to add to what they offer the students of Allegan County.

“The partnership of offering an apprenticeship with Wayland Carpenter and Millwrights Training Center provides an opportunity for students in Allegan County to gain skills in high-skill, high-demand careers,” said Tech Center Director Rich Okoniewski. “Students who finish their first year in the Building Trades 1 program have an opportunity to increase their skills with free post-secondary training while also being paid to work.”

This program is fully funded through the partnership, with no tuition/book costs to the students. Students are also paid for both the time at the worksite and in the classroom.

Dual Enrollment for the Trades kicks off later this spring.