EUGENE, Ore. – More than a dozen high school students got a head start on their careers thanks to a unique program offered through the Lane Education Service District.
The Youth Trades Academy is a six-week program for juniors and seniors. The students meet twice a week and get classroom and hands-on experience.
In the program, there are three subjects that are taught: Sheet metal, plumbers and steamfitters, and electrical trades.
The idea is to prepare students for an apprenticeship program.
“You see a lot of people go to college and they don’t have jobs, and they’re looking and they’re trying, and they’re working fast food, and they’re driving Uber, and they’re not doing what their diploma says they can,” senior Wyatt Garner said.
Students who successfully pass the program also get high school credit.
