Los Alamos high school trade show a success – Los Alamos reporter

Daniel Trujillo of Southwestern Line Constructors talks to students about career options as a Journeyman Lineman. LAPS Courtesy Photo

LAPS PRESS RELEASE

Students at Los Alamos High School got first-hand information about job opportunities in traditional trades at a trade fair held last week in the Topper Auto Shop. Local professionals, branches of the military, regional colleges and an apprenticeship program have come to LAHS to introduce interested students to various business careers.

The students were able to candidly meet the professionals on site to learn about all the areas in which they have expertise, from training and compensation to the details of a typical workday. Representatives from UNM-Los Alamos, Northern New Mexico College (Espanola), Central New Mexico Community College (Albuquerque) and Luna Community College (Las Vegas, NM) shared information about their certificate and diplomas from ‘associate in the trades.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” said Junior Sam Katko. “I spoke with everyone at the tables that I thought were interesting.”

“I couldn’t attend every presentation and every table,” noted Jonathan Kieltyka, also a junior LAHS. “However, I liked the fact that they have programs other than the four-year colleges. The presentation of the linemen particularly interested me. They provided us with examples of their safety equipment and even allowed us to try it out.

“I also spent time chatting with the military representatives who came to the event,” he added.

“The hope is that this event gives students the opportunity to learn what different trades do and what they offer their workers,” said Ronda Trujillo, College and Career Resource Center specialist. at LAHS. “Business schools, apprenticeship and certificate programs from accredited institutions are not only viable options for young people considering careers that do not require a traditional type of 4-year post-secondary education (or more), but these are really great options and have local opportunities.

For example, Daniel Trujillo of Southwestern Line Constructors explained that apprentice linemen start at $ 24.04 / hour and, once they achieve journeyman status, their rate of pay (if they are qualified today) is $ 40.07 / hour.

The inaugural event attracted a large number of students, teachers, administrators and advisers. The LAPS Foundation was also part of the event, extending its hospitality with refreshments for each presenter. Special thanks to Scott Pomeroy, Technical Education Professor at LAHS, for using his auto shop and parking lot to host the event.

“We are planning to hold more events similar to this in the future,” Ms. Trujillo said, and added that the school will contact more local professionals and organizations once they determine the date and format of future events. An event in March 2022 is the goal; at that point, the hope is to include both traditional and non-traditional trades, as well as careers that can be obtained through these certificate programs, on-the-job training and associate’s degrees. . “We would also like to include career areas such as health / medical, hospitality, IT, professional / office and personal services. ”

If you would like to share your expertise at such an event, please contact Ronda Trujillo at (505) 663-2595.