Featured photo Sophomores Olivia Dixon and Victoria Redman add a new floor to the Utica Shale Academy’s new building at the former Huntington Bank in Salineville. Students are learning construction trades at the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and completing projects around the station and community, including a landscaping project near the village police station.
SALINVILLE – Students at Utica Shale Academy are developing skills to become tomorrow’s workers.
Members of the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) core construction department are getting hands-on experience setting up their new digs at the former Huntington Bank building just a few doors down from the main school on East Main Street in Salineville. Most recently, they are literally laying the foundation by adding the floor to the device.
“They learned small construction and worked on wiring, drywall and flooring in the Huntington Bank building.” said Superintendent Bill Watson. “They spent two months painting it, doing drywall and lighting, and redoing the trim and siding. We have 15 students working on projects permanently.
The brick floor was donated by Summitville Tile, which employs current and past USA students. Watson also pointed out that the concrete work outside the building is part of NCCER.
The program recently expanded into a former bank building for career and workforce development with classrooms, offices and hands-on work space, and the first Hutson building houses career-technology skills training and online curriculum. The Huntington building was purchased in partnership with Youngstown State University using funds from a $300,000 capital budget bill, awarded to Ohio Sen. Michael Rulli and Rep. Tim Guenther (both R-Salem).
The academy has expanded beyond oil and gas and now includes Megatronics, LCC, internet based courses, AC/DC electronics, pneumatics and hydraulics and electrical relays and multimeter panel electrical control. Students are learning how to build construction and related vehicles and an indoor/outdoor welding lab should be open next year. USA has partnered with YSU to allow students to take advantage of the university’s Talent Accelerator program. The USA Virtual Learning Academy at the Jefferson County Educational Services Center uses online learning and hands-on learning to prepare students for the workforce while still in high school. You will get industry credentials as well as skills. USA is also working with the Center for Sustainable Opportunity and Development (SOD) in Salem, Ohio, and the Work and Family Services Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) and USA provides services outside of the Mahoning-Columbia Training Association. – To help school youth with training and job placement.
Other offerings include a horticulture program through Snap On, where participants earn NC3 certification, in addition to a safety program in backhoe and forklift operation through NCCER.
“Horticulture will be the area where we use heavy equipment in Kobota Tech training. We have been using teachers to straighten things and prepare beds,” he said. he said.
Students also landscaped the area near the Salineville Police Department while cultivating a koi pond and fountain. As part of the USA Eagle Scout Project, she received a $660 Best Practices grant from the Jefferson County Education Service Center for that effort.
He went on to say that students not only get a certificate but also realize the importance of all their efforts.
“They finish their work and know what they are doing.”
Now in its eighth year, USA currently hosts 110 students and combines integrated learning and hands-on learning to prepare students in grades 9-12 for a variety of industry careers. For more information, contact 330-679-2000: Ext. 4113, or go online to www.uticashaleschool.com.
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