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Career and Technical Education Department holds annual National Apprenticeship Week Fair

Career and Technical Education Department holds annual National Apprenticeship Week Fair

The New York State Department of Labor and various local trade unions set up tables at Mount Vernon High School to share available apprenticeships and opportunities with students. The Mount Vernon High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department held their annual National Apprenticeship Week Fair on Friday, November 17, 2023.  

Jamie Larmon with 2 CTE Students

“This has shown me the benefits of being an electrician and the rest of the opportunities that come with it,” said Leu-Andre Hall, an eleventh grade student at MVHS. “I can go to school and get other benefits from it like interviews and other opportunities.” 

Trade unions shared the various opportunities available to students out of high school. Many apprenticeships also allow students to attend trade school while working, and some even pay for it. Students from Rebecca Turner Academy and Mount Vernon STEAM Academy were also invited to attend the fair and learn about apprenticeships. 

“The opportunities are amazing, more than any other school I’ve been to,” said Matthew Genius, a 12th grade student at MVHS. “They’re always doing things like this fair with jobs coming in, sharing resumes, getting hired on the spot and colleges coming in.” 

Student speaking to union reps.

Matthew would like to pursue a career in information technology (IT), and classes at MVHS have been preparing him for that. The District is also paying for his CompTIA, a vital certification in the IT industry.  

Many of the students attending the fair have been taking CTE classes, and an apprenticeship would be the next step towards starting their career.  

“The opportunities are endless,” said Jaime Larmon, work-based learning coordinator at MVHS. “They have the ability to basically walk out of high school with a 401k, medical benefits and the ability to have these unions pay for them to go to school. There are so many facets within the union, so the opportunities are endless as far as where they can go from starting as a journeyman to a full apprentice, which is a great thing. Some of these kids don’t know what they want to do for school, so, even if they don’t go down this road, this is just another option that they have.” 

President Kirwan shaking hands with someone from a union
Student speaking to two people from a union.
Lady from NYS Department of Labor speaking to students.
Man from union speaking with students.
Union reps speaking to students.
Students looking at papers from trade union.
Aidan and Isaac

In just two weeks, seniors of the Mount Vernon City School District will be celebrating their final days as high school students and walking across the graduation stage and into the real world. At Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, two students who have molded themselves into well-rounded scholars will lead their class. STEAM has chosen Isaac Alvarado Calderon and Aidan Forman as its Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian. 

Slide with information of orientation members

Representatives from the New York State Department of Labor’s (NYS DOL) Rapid Response team held an orientation for employees affected by layoffs last Thursday, providing them with information about personalized job placement services that are available at zero cost. They will also hold a meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, in the boardroom of the Mount Vernon Board of Education to address questions by Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) staff affected by layoffs. Click to view the full presentation.

Pre-K Social Workers

Social workers in the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Department were chosen to present at the Division for Early Childhood’s International Conference for Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families this October. Social workers Andrea Marano and Elena Lupo will discuss pre-K mental health initiatives in the Mount Vernon City School District with a presentation titled “Creating a Comprehensive Early Childhood Mental Health Program.”

(Reminder: Pre-K lottery registration closes on June 27, visit https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/family-community/registration/online-registration to learn more)