On Thursday, May 9, 2024 Norma Villa Cortez, a Career Technical Program Specialist with the Workforce, Community & Continuing Education Department at Palomar College visited SIATech North County High School (NCIS) in Oceanside.
This is an example of how SIATech schools provides more than just a high school diploma by helping students learn more about careers and job training.
She gave a presentation and provided students with Palomar’s Apprenticeship Programs as a part of NCIS’ focus on Youth Apprenticeship Week from May 5 to May 11, 2024, it is described as “a nationwide celebration that highlights the benefits and value of Registered Apprenticeship program opportunities for youth.”
The State of California supports a formal registered apprenticeship training system. Apprentices learn occupational skills in the classroom and practice the skills in paid on-the-job training while working for local contractors. Norma provided a detailed and rich overview to NCIS students highlighting the path from apprentice to journeyman/woman in career fields such as carpentry, electrical, sound and telecommunication, and sheet metal.
Students learned that carpentry is much more than building houses and is important in constructing bridges and high-rise construction as well. Similarly, students learned that sheet metal is a major growth field for employment right now.
While sharing with students that she is available to help them and as an ongoing resource throughout their apprenticeship journey, Norma also emphasized many college and career aspects and skills that are already familiar to NCIS students. For example, the critical importance of communication with the Training Centers, as well as broader-based communication in areas such as interviews, applications, and the overall importance of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the workforce.
Again, familiar to NCIS students, Norma emphasized the importance of paying attention during Training Center Orientation, and listed reasons why students would be disenrolled from the program, including: not showing up to work, or to class, and not submitting work hours. Norma finished by discussing the application process, the connection between Palomar College and the Training Centers, testing, drug screening, and hours and requirements for the apprenticeship programs.
NCIS students were attentive and enthusiastic, asking questions during the presentation, as well as visiting with Norma and getting her contact information after the presentation. We will definitely ask Norma to return next year. And she can provide the entire presentation in Spanish.
Many thanks to SIATech NCIS Mentor Teacher Amanda Roletti for coordinating outreach and communication with Palomar College!
