Chesapeake Public School students career-ready thanks to partnership with TCC

What started with an idea and talks between leaders at Tidewater Community College and Chesapeake Public School six years ago will culminate on May 13 when 52 students from the city graduate with career and technical training credentials.

Thanks to a partnership between TCC and CPS, these high school graduates are prepared for in-demand careers in areas that range from mechatronics to pharmacy technology to welding.

Made for mechatronics

Mechatronics graduates — The first cohort in mechatronics includes (front row, left to right) Hunter Wood, Demeatris Williams, Jordan White, Ryan Laing and Jemimah Barnes. Behind them are Nathan Hippolyte, Dylan Starowicz, Nico Collins, Nathaniel Davis, Jevon Harrington, Quinton Anderson, Jeremy Herrold, Ashton Ludlam, Cody Baker and Hayden McCarthy.

Fifteen dual-enrolled mechatronics students will graduate with their Career Studies Certificate in Mechatronics.

They started taking classes in their home high schools as sophomores and spent part of their junior and senior years on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus training in state-of-the-art labs.

Classes have covered industrial robotics programming, digital systems, electric motor control, programmable logic control and instrumentation.

“Our industry leaders tell us that they are in need of skilled technicians, and our graduates are well prepared for the work ahead,” said Thomas Stout, dean of science, engineering, math and technology. “We’re proud of this first cohort, as they are paving the way for many students to follow.”

The graduates will ultimately work on advanced manufacturing systems, often referred to as “smart” devices, in the areas of machinery design, construction and repair.

Thanks to partnerships with the city’s Department of Economic Development and the advanced manufacturing sector, all of these students were awarded full scholarships by area firms. Donor companies include Mitsubishi Chemical Composites America, Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America, USUI USA, Yupo Corporation of America, GeoQuip Inc., Air Systems, Inc., Manufacturing and Design Technology, Inc., Nitto Inc. and Towne Bank.

Jemimah Barnes, a senior at Deep Creek High earning her mechatronics certificate, plans to study electrical engineering at Morgan State University. “I’ve enjoyed the program and feel well prepped for college,” she said. “I’ve gained technical skills and learned so much.”

Dylan Starowicz, a Great Bridge High senior, added, “It’s been great to get a head start on my associate degree, and now I’m sure I want to do this as a career.”

Mechatronic students also earned industry credentials and can apply all their credits to an Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics, which they can complete in just one year.

Working the circuit

Electrical wiring gradutes — Electrical wiring graduates include (front row, left to right) Josh Williams, Patrick Billups Jr., Adam Turlington, Logan Albaugh, Brandon Bundick and (back row, left to right) Logan Panchana, Seth Waugh, Lars Grooms, Maynard Lawhorn, Asher Brown, Reagan Smelkinson, Kowan Lee Jr., Thaddeus Quinata and Amillion Poore.

Across the hall from the mechatronics lab, the second cohort of Electrical Wiring for Technicians students has worked to earn career studies certificates.

The class of 14 spent one academic year studying residential wiring and methods for industry. They also earned their Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA 10 cards, which certify them in industry safety standards. They are prepared for entry-level positions as electrician helpers.

“I’m amazed at how this class has turned out,” said Patrick Billups, a senior at Hickory High. “I learned the basics for less money, and the instructors have been really helpful.”

Instructor Bob Shanks, a master electrician who joined the college in the mid-’90s, added, “Students come in without any knowledge, and we can teach them from the ground up. I like it that way because we don’t have to undo any bad habits.”

Pharmacy technicians of tomorrow

Pharmacy Tech graduates are (front row, left to right) Cassandra Coppola, Destiny Davis, Ayanna Farmer-Lawrence, KyAura Goodman and (back row, left to right) Atlas Bonney, J’La Edwards, Taylor Skyles and Robert McFadden.

The Pharmacy Technician program is another first for CPS and TCC dual enrollment programs with the initial cohort of eight students graduating with career studies certificates.

Students spent one academic year at the Chesapeake Career Center in a classroom fitted with a mock pharmacy that includes a counter, cash register and plenty of “products” to dispense.

They are prepared to order, stock, package, prepare and dispense medication under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They can also sit for the national pharmacy tech exam to become certified pharmacy technicians.

“Now I have work I can do while in college, and I get a boost ahead since I already have this knowledge,” said J’La Edwards, a senior at Indian River High who plans to continue at TCC and attend pharmacy school at Hampton University.

Another hot career

Welding graduates for the morning session are Arlin McCourt, Timothy Davis, Tony Highter, Bryce Rivers, Jason Walters, Jonathon Kasperbauer, Jacob Priest, Lucas Brown and Ryan Yonka.

The Welding graduates for the afternoon session are Seth Messinger, Deandre Crandle, Brandon Reichelderfer, Derek Klein, Hayden Lowery, Kyle Ball and Mason Krawzik. — Graduates for the afternoon session are Seth Messinger, Deandre Crandle, Brandon Reichelderfer, Derek Klein, Hayden Lowery, Kyle Ball and Mason Krawzik.

With masks on and sparks flying, 15 students honed skills by earning welding certificates at the Chesapeake Career Center.

The two-year program covered oxyacetylene (gas) welding, arc welding and inert gas-shielded techniques.

Jason Walters, from Deep Creek High, plans a career in welding. “I love welding because I get to work with my hands. I enjoy the teamwork and learning new skills, too.”

Upon completion of the program, students can sit for certification exams through the American Welding Society.

High school students sizzling to start new career

Thanks to a new dual enrollment program offered by Tidewater Community College and Chesapeake Public Schools, students are getting a jump start on college and gaining entry-level skills in a trade all their own.

In just one academic year, five students are earning their Career Studies Certificate in Electrical Wiring for Technicians, having gained a basic understanding of residential and industrial wiring and national code with classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory work.

They will graduate on May 12 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on May 12 with a college certificate before earning their high school diplomas.

“Employers are looking for workers with this type of training,” said Bob Shanks, TCC instructor. “Our students enter the job market prepared to work and with the skills that give them a leg up in the industry.”

The electrical wiring certificate is designed to give students practical experience using scaled mock-ups to learn design, layout, construction and testing of residential wiring systems. They also gain knowledge of power distribution, circuits, switches, enclosures, panels, fuses, circuit breakers and national code.

This dual enrollment program launched in fall 2017. Students in the program also completed the OSHA 10-hour construction safety and health training.

Here’s what our graduates are saying:

Zachary Booker
Western Branch High – senior

“Mr. Shanks knows his business, and I have learned a lot from him. I’ve enjoyed everything about the program and want to earn my associate degree in electrical wiring, and then work for Dominion Energy.”

Hunter Edward
Deep Creek High – junior

“I had no intention of becoming an electrician until I had this opportunity. Now I don’t see myself doing anything else. It really gave me all of the basics I need in the field. I ultimately want to work as a linesman for Dominion Energy after earning my associate degree.”

Brandon Halloran
Oscar Smith High – junior

“I wasn’t even considering going to college until I took this program, and now I’m going to get my associate degree in electrical wiring. I really like this work because it’s hands-on and I can work outside. I want to travel and work overseas, and now I can do that with this trade. When I come home, I’d enjoy working for Dominion Energy.”

Christian Keifer
Grassfield High – junior

“Having something different than my regular high school schedule has been great and learning a new skill has been the best thing. I’d definitely recommend this program. I liked the hands-on activities and gaining the basic skills for a career. I want to be an electrician and someday run my own business.”

Jalem Wilson
Great Bridge High – senior

“I originally wanted to be a pilot, but things changed, and I really like this field. This program has been a big influence on where I want to go in the future. I plan to earn my associate degree, and I’m pretty excited about doing this work for a living.”

The next cohort for the dual enrollment program in electrical wiring is forming now and already includes 17 Chesapeake Public School juniors and seniors. For information about the program, call 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu.