Hillyard Tech students sign on to apprenticeships

By Jazmine Knight

More than 30 St. Joseph students took the first step on a promising career path on Thursday.

Hillyard Technical Center hosted its Apprenticeship Signing Day where 36 students accepted offers from their desired companies. Some of those companies include the St. Joseph School District, Midland Steel, Altec, Herzog, Lifeline Foods, multiple car manufacturers and more.

This program gives students the chance to gain real-life work experience and build skills so they’ll be prepared when they start full-time careers.

Christi Waggoner, apprenticeship coordinator, said a lot of these manufacturing companies are seeking employees right when they graduate, so this is a good opportunity for students to get their foot in the door.

“One of the goals that we hope with students is once they start employment, if they do well, that they will hire on full time with that particular company,” Waggoner said.

Hillyard’s apprenticeship program utilizes a learn-while-you-earn system allowing students to get paid for their work. Students specialize in welding, carpentry, industrial maintenance, computer technology, teaching and more.

Because of the diverse pathways, Waggoner said students are always excited to apply. She said that most students first get intrigued by the ability to earn money and avoid school. But shortly after, their perspective shifts.

“Once they get in the program, they realize how beneficial it is. They learn to love their jobs and dig in and learn all of those skills. And they meet new people,” she said.

Hannah Swindler, precision machine student, committed to Altec. She said she went into the program knowing nothing, but she’s learned a lot and can’t wait to progress in her career.

“I would like to work up in the career,” Swindler said. “Hopefully after a few years working, like maybe when I’m 20 or something, I will go to college and get a bachelor’s in programming so I can become a programmer and a machinist at the same time.“

For Swindler, the hardest part was learning new material, but it all paid off in the end. Her favorite part is working on the big machines.

“So I’ve made a few different parts. I’ve made some vise grips, I made some blocks, just a little fidget stuff. But I work on a manual mill and a manual, at least for the most of it,” she said.

Jett Winn, the student speaker for the signing day, signed to Herzog about a year ago. As of January, he signed on as a full-time employee at Herzog doing information technology. Winn thanks Hillyard for providing the pathway for his accomplishments.

“I learned through the experience that you can do whatever you want to do, really, whatever you want, Hillyard probably has it to offer, and I bet you can get signed on somewhere doing it,” Winn said.

His favorite part of his apprenticeship was going to work every day because it offered a new experience.

“A lot of people, I feel like my age, don’t have that opportunity to go to school for an hour and then go work for another six hours after that,” he said.

For Winn, the biggest lesson his apprenticeship taught him was to be authentically him.

“Don’t try to play something up to look more professional,” he said.

Swindler said programs like these are beneficial because a lot of colleges are too expensive and many can’t afford it. However, learning a trade skill will stick with you forever.

“At the very least, even if this doesn’t become your main career, getting that trade skill is a good fallback, and it’s free,” Swindler said.

Students start at Hillyard and have to complete one year of instruction before they can go into employment.

“That first year gives them those basic skills,” Waggoner said.

During employment, companies may still train the student to their desired skill level, making the student well-rounded in the trade.

Waggoner said that this year, about 50% of her students went on to receive full-time employment offers from their apprenticeship companies. As for the other 50%, most of the time, companies just didn’t have an opening.

Her favorite part of the program is working with the students and seeing them grow over time.

“I met with a student this morning … and we had our weekly check-in and I’ve seen so much personal growth in him since the first day that I met with him,” she said.

For those interested in getting their child started at Hillyard, talk to your child’s counselor or visit Hillyard’s website at https://hillyardtech.sjsd.k12.mo.us/.