BY BRITNEE NAVE

STAR CORRESPONDENT

A new opportunity for Carter County students is now in the works.

Last week, work on developing an electrical apprenticeship program began after Massey Electric, an electrical contracting company located in Kingsport, reached out to Carter County Schools about the program.

The program, which will be held at Happy Valley High School, allows students to study the basics of becoming an electrician throughout high school, before going on to work with Massey Electric in a four-year, paid apprenticeship to obtain their license.

According to Mickey Taylor, CTE Director of Carter County Schools, the program is especially beneficial to students who do not want to go on to post secondary institutions after high school.

“It’s a good, no it’s a great, opportunity for students who are interested in that line of work who do not want to go on to post secondary institutions,” he said. “They can go right into the workforce and earn a paycheck while working towards their licensure.”

According to Taylor, Massey Electric wants to hands-on train their employees. Through this program, and following apprenticeship, high school students who do not wish to go on to post secondary institutions, are on the same level as those who have in the eyes of this company.

Students in the program will have the opportunity to learn the basics of being an electrician through classes, including safety and working with hands-on models. These classes typically begin during a student’s freshman year and continue until they are a senior.

Students who do not attend Happy Valley will be shuttled there for the classes.

After completing the classes in high school, students will then begin the apprenticeship if they are deemed appropriate for the position. Those appropriate are usually students who can pass a drug test, have good attendance and can do things like staying off their cell phone.

Taylor said that while this program began development last week and he has previously alluded to it beginning next year, if there are enough students interested, it may begin next semester. Once the program does begin, however, there is no minimum amount of students needed for the program to remain available.

“We’re always looking for ways to help our students become successful and put them in the job market,” said Taylor. “This is a quick way to get into a licensed program, again without going on to post secondary. We are not against post secondary institutions, this is just an opportunity for kids who don’t, to earn a paycheck while working toward licensure with a really good company.”

Licenses obtained through this program will be good in all 50 states.