Paragould High School is excited to offer a new opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in the electrical industry. This school year marks the first year PHS has offered an Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program through a partnership with the Jonesboro Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JEJATC), IBEW Local 1516, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
Through the Electrical Training Alliance’s Interim Credentials Program, five PHS students are currently participating in online coursework aligned with the first-year curriculum of a registered electrical apprenticeship. The program provides students with up to 180 hours of career-focused training through online learning, industry presentations, guest speakers, and hands-on experiences.
The coursework introduces students to essential knowledge and skills within the electrical trade while giving them an opportunity to explore a high-skill, high-demand career pathway while still in high school.
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate that can be presented during the JEJATC interview process. The hours completed through the program are transferable to the JEJATC’s four-year registered apprenticeship, providing students with an opportunity to potentially enter the apprenticeship at the second-year level.
PHS is proud to provide students with opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. As this is the first year of the program, our goal is to continue building and expanding the opportunity so that even more PHS students can take advantage of this pathway in the future.
This new pre-apprenticeship is another example of Paragould High School’s commitment to providing students with meaningful career experiences, industry-recognized training, and opportunities for success beyond high school.
Here is the website with more information on the pre-apprenticeship program: https://www.jonesboroelectricaljatc.org/pre-apprenticeship