(Richmond, CA) – This Friday, Congressman George Miller, along with a number of other local officials, will visit Kennedy High School to explore the unique opportunities of the Contra Costa Building & Construction Trades Council’s pre-apprenticeship pilot program.

The Kennedy High School pilot program is a technical instruction and tutorial funded by the Contra Costa Building & Construction Trades Council that provides thirty students with the opportunity to prepare for careers in the building trades and pass building & trades requisite apprenticeship examinations.

With nearly half of the Contra Costa Building and Trades Construction Trades and Council nearing retirement over the next 5-10 years, the program has sought to prepare students to take advantage of the career opportunities in building trades. Providing students with the skills and knowledge is extremely important to future local and state workforce development efforts. The Contra Costa Building & Construction Trades Council has donated close to $100,000 to the pilot program over the past 2 years.

Congressman George Miller quote

Assemblywoman Loni Hancock quote

The program has been in existence for a little over a year and has been in the process of gathering data to analyze student success. Overall, students’ excitement and engagement in the learning process, improved attendance in school, and desire to pursue long term career pathways has made this program a great source of academic and curriculum development.

“I did not know a program like this existed,” stated Justin Jackson (a junior at Kennedy High School). “This pre-apprenticeship program has giving me something to enjoy doing for the rest of my life. It has provided me with a chance to meet the people I will be working for and with in the future. Joining this class changed my entire outlook on life.” Kennedy High School senior Eddie Addison stated, “This program helped develop my math skills and has given me an upper hand to future apprenticeship programs. I have been taught the tools and skills of the profession.”

WHAT: Congressman to Visit Pre-Apprenticeship Program

WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2005, 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Kennedy High School, 4300 Cutting Blvd, Richmond, 94804

WHO: Congressman George Miller
Students from the Kennedy High School
Mary Gaddis, Apprenticeship Instructor
Irma Anderson, Mayor of Richmond and other Elected Officials
The Contra Costa Building & Construction Council