Darke County Seniors Excel at MVCTC

Clayton, Ohio – The Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) senior SkillsUSA TeamWorks Team has taken full advantage of what MVCTC has to offer. Micah Bowman (Franklin Monroe), Mason Garber (Arcanum), Jared Heitkamp (Versailles), and Corbin Wray (Franklin Monroe) recently competed in the Ohio SkillsUSA TeamWorks competition and came home with the Gold Medal, being rated the top team in the state. They will be representing Ohio at the National SkillsUSA Competition this June in Kansas City, MO. Since 2005, MVCTC has had five TeamWorks teams place in the top three at the national level.

According to the SkillsUSA website, during the TeamWorks competition, “teams of four students will be required to build a construction project, over three days that will demonstrate their ability to work together as a Team. Each Team will be required to understand the project elements based on a detailed blue print and special instructions presented at the pre-competition orientation. Each Team must write a project completion "action plan" and will present their "action plan" as one of the "key" elements of the competition (all Team members must participate during the presentation). During the "construction project", the Team will demonstrate their ability to work together as a Team by using their carpentry, electrical, plumbing and masonry skills. Judging is based on the Team's presentation skills, ability to construct the project per ‘competition specified’ building codes, jobsite safety and cleanliness, organized and correct ordering of materials from the competition material depot, proper use and accountability of tools and equipment and the rate of completion of the project for the Team.”

All four students are seniors in Building Trades programs at MVCTC and qualified to participate in the Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeship opportunities at MVCTC link secondary education, post- secondary education, business, industry, and government together to provide a seamless career path for high school students. Well-planned and supervised school-based and work-based learning experiences are the foundation for the program. The Apprenticeship Program allows students to work and earn a paycheck - while learning skills and earning the certifications that employer wants. Registered Apprenticeship provides more than 500,000 apprentices across the U.S. with industry-specific education, on-the-job training, nationally recognized certifications, and guaranteed wage increases.

Eligibility requirements to participate in the Apprenticeship Program at MVCTC include students meeting the following criteria:

95% attendance

2.5 GPA

Skill status: must meet minimum skill competencies as established by teacher and industry in each subject area

Transportation: must have available, reliable transportation

Graduation status: must be on track to graduate on time

Parental Approval: Parent or guardian and student must sign the Student Apprenticeship Awareness Contract

Recommendation from all instructors regarding work ethic, behavior, and quality of class work

Full payment of all junior fees shall be made prior to the beginning of the apprenticeship program.

In addition to the above criteria, each student must show a positive attitude and interest toward his/her work and a commitment to a 2-4 year apprenticeship program.

Micah Bowman a senior in the Construction Carpentry program has been employed all school year with D.R. Brumbaugh Contracting. His apprenticeship job has included doing finish trim work on new homes. Micah is the son of Trent and Lanette Bowman of Covington.

Mason Garber, a senior in the Construction Carpentry program, has been employed all school year with Ferguson Construction Company. He is the son of Dan and Joann Garber of Arcanum.

Jared Heitkamp, a senior in the Electrical Trades program, has been employed all school year by Sollmann Electric .He is the son of Gary and Denise Heitkamp of Versailles.

Corbin Wray, a senior in the Construction Carpentry program, has been employed all school year by Premier Hardscapes. He is the son of Faith Wray from Laura, and the late Russell Wray.

For more information about MVCTC, please visit www.mvctc.com.

For over 40-years, MVCTC has been providing career technical education for 27 partner school districts encompassing five counties in Southwest Ohio. MVCTC is dedicated to providing in-demand workforce training for youth, adults, and organizations in the Miami Valley.