PRESS RELEASE:

For additional information call Lucia Valdivia-Sanchez, Program Specialist| 386-698-4710 and 386-698-4094 | Lvaldiviasanchez@my.putnamschools.org

The Putnam Farmworker Career Development Program staff members and Crescent City High School Students/Program Participants joined the second annual North Florida Building Trades Apprenticeships Opportunities Career Fair on February 10, 2018. James Haugli, FCDP state director joined the group lead by Kirk Barras, Assistant Training Director of the Jacksonville Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust (JATT). Mr. Barras along with the State Registered Apprenticeship Area Training Representative Bill Lauvier welcomed the Putnam County FCDP participants and staff.  The JATT covers the entire northern part of the state of Florida and is responsible for approximately 650 apprentices in the different building trades. The JATT and the Putnam County FCDP started a collaboration to increase access and employment opportunities for FCDP program participants that want to enter the building trades in one of the best and most successful training programs that allow participants to “Earn as they Learn” and become successful professionals in high demand/high wage careers in the Northern part of Florida.  Our students were impressed to hear details about the extensive career opportunities in the different building trades, the common theme in all the careers was the opportunity to reach as high as you wish as all training programs include articulation with colleges to grant credits towards an Associate in Science in case they desire to pursue their formal education in college.

The North Florida Trades Apprenticeship career fair offered our program participants and staff the ability to explore career opportunities available in the area, students had the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the training program, explore the curriculum, and hands-on experience in the welding simulator, sheet metal, plumbing, and operation of the crane.

The Putnam County FCDP currently has two apprentices in the sheet metal training program and we are in the process of increasing participation in this region and across the state with our other program sites. Mr. Barras has invited us to the Union Apprenticeship Conference in July to continue to explore new strategies and increase participation of FCDP participants in apprenticeship programs across the state. Mr. Barras and Ms. Valdivia-Sanchez also serve on the Region 8 CareerSource Board of Directors.

Mr. Kirk Barras welcomed our students and explained the apprenticeship program and the career opportunities available in our area.

Jim Haugli, Florida FCDP State Director, Kirk Barras, J.A.T.T. LU 234 Assistant Training Director,  Lucia Valdivia-Sanchez Putnam FCDP Coordinator, and Bill Lauvier Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator

George Richardson, Instructor from the Sheet Metal trade providing an explanation about the importance of sheet metal workers in the building trades.