The end of the school year is fast approaching, and for high school seniors, that means it’s time to get ready to go off to college. However, for some people, college is not a viable option, either due to finances, or lack of interest. Despite what has been preached for many years now, there are plenty of careers for people that don’t want to go to college. We sat down with Brandon Bartow of Bartow Builders, and he told us about an internship program that they have for students that are interested in a career in the trades. He explained that students can enroll in the “youth apprenticeship program already their junior and senior year in high school. That’s kind of a pay as you learn type of program.” They are also looking for adults to join a similar program as well. Bartow said that they will take people that are “out of high school, looking to figure out which way they want to go in life.”
Students and adults that wish to partake do not need to have any sort of backgrounds in the trades, as Brandon explained, “Right now, we are looking for people that can do the basics in life. They are willing to learn, they show up on time, they are drug and alcohol-free when they show up at work, they have a valid driver’s license. Sometimes, though that’s a simple ask, but it’s interesting how it gets harder and harder to find those kinds of people.”
Brandon also informed us that the program has been a moderate success so far with “…11 youth apprentices over the years…3 of those went to the adult apprenticeship program…and received their journeyman’s card in carpentry.” The Bartow Builders team is adjusting some things in an attempt to improve those numbers, including tweaking their interview process and giving the students a sense of purpose. Brandon noticed that the younger generations are looking for a “…sense of purpose. The task for the day might be that they are pushing a broom and cleaning a space, but if we can define what that purpose is, and how they are contributing to the team, at the end of the day, they have a sense of belonging, a sense of Accomplishment…and that we are continuously training them to get them out of pushing that broom.”
If you know someone, either a student or adult that may want to participate, contact Lindsey Kraus in the Bartow Builders office, by calling 920-682-7100.
