The students of the Aragon Construction and Trades class attended two field trips this month. On Oct. 23, students attended the Santa Cruz Trades Day, where they visited exhibits by professionals in the trades industry to learn about a multitude of career opportunities. On Oct. 27, at the Redwood City Port, students toured boats, participated in hands-on activities relating to the trades and learned about the maritime industry.
A trade job is a specialized career that requires technical skills and training custom to the specific job; it can be an alternative to going to college for a degree. The purpose of the technology trade program at Aragon is to help students explore careers in trades such as jobs as locksmiths, plumbers and electricians.
“They’re learning about the trades that are out there in the construction industry [and] about jobs that are available to them through [apprenticeship] programs,” said Arron Apperson, Engineering Technology and Construction and Trades teacher. “Overall, I want them to learn that there are many more ways to have a successful life than to graduate from college and be somebody that’s academic.”
Students appreciate the class and believe that the opportunities it offers are beneficial to their preparation for future careers in the trades.
“That’s what I want to do in the future,” said senior Sebastian Diaz-Jones. “I want to be an electrician, and it’s good to learn it earlier so I can have a head start in the actual workforce.”
On the trips, students had the opportunity to meet people who work in a variety of trades, which allowed them to hear personal stories and to understand reasons to pursue a career in trades.
“My students [were] able to talk to people, do some hands-on activities and find … job opportunities,” Apperson said. “[We talked] to people from … a huge construction company all the way to firefighters and police officers.”
Students say that hearing these stories helped broaden their perspectives and introduced them to a wider variety of possibilities in the workforce.
“I liked meeting new people,” said senior Isaac Perez. ”I want to learn more about what [the trades have] to offer and … other than college, what paths [there are].”
The field trips gave students the opportunity to network and connect with the trades community while hearing the real-life experiences of people who work in those industries.
