Career Tech students earn skid steer certification
Published on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:15am
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Photo by LCCTC | Pictured (from left to right) are CTE Directors Shameka Baker, Tyler McBlackmon, Azavian Martin, Jakarion Peagler, Eugene Rudolph, Iyuanna Wallace, and Kawanni McPherson , Alasia Brazil, Jacary Piegler, Mondrell Hill, Mekelle Pelton, and Agricultural Science Instructor Kelsey Thomas.
Photo by LCCTC | JACarie (left) and JaCarrion Peagler (center) perform pre-travel testing under the direction of ACCS Skills for Success instructor Lewis Tillery (right).
The Lowndes County Career Technical Center hosted Skills for Success Training Oct. 3-4, giving 10 local students an additional opportunity to prepare for a career after high school.
The center partnered with Trenholm State Community College to host hands-on training.
“Through the training provided by Trenholm State Community College, 10 students completed the Skills for Success certification,” said Kelsey Thomas, LCCTC Agriscience Instructor. “Trenholm sent an instructor, Louis Tillery, and sent equipment here.”
Thomas said the students practiced operating two skid steers under Tillery’s guidance.
After completing the two-day course, students (Tyler McBlackmon, Azabian Martin, Jakalion Peagler, Eugene Rudolph, Iuanna Wallace, Kawanni Macpherson, Alasia Brazil, Jacary Peagler, Mondrell Hill, Mekelle Pelton) earns her skid steer operator certification and adds another Career Readiness Index (CRI) to her resume.
“In high school, students are required to take the CRI, which is an indicator of college and career readiness,” said LCCTC Director Shameka Baker. “Students need to take the CCRI, the College and Career Readiness Index, to graduate. One way to get it is a CRI like skid steer training.”
Students are now fully certified to operate skid steers, Thomas emphasized.
“They earned career certifications that they can show in job interviews to prove they passed that training,” Thomas said. “Students entering their senior year can enter the workforce with that credential. It gives them a credential they can use to provide for themselves.”
Baker said the training is one of the center’s programs designed to prepare students for the workforce.
“Students who earn their skid steer certification benefit from hands-on experience with the equipment,” Baker said. “It also allows our students to open their doors to the world in our career fields, allowing them to actually leverage their certifications and work directly through the construction industry. If you decide to take up the job, you’ll actually need to learn how to run a skid steer to help with things like digging and paving.
“So students had to learn all of this through on-campus classes and take them first before practical training. It opened their minds and allowed them to tap into a different skill set they learned in high school. It provides an opportunity to prepare for employment after graduating from high school.”
Thomas said Lowndes County Public Schools is working on forming partnerships to connect students with employment opportunities. Currently, learners who are certified through Trenholm are posted on job boards where their credentials can be viewed by prospective employers.
