BUILDER NEWS Students Find Their Futures In Vocational School bIt became clear when he was just 2 years old that Chris Marrero would ecome a mechanic. His father found him in the garage with every single one of his tools, trying to get the training wheels off his bike. And to his father’s surprise, the the boy figured how do it by himself, and rode the cul-de-sac on two wheels. “And here I am today,” Marrero said, sitting inside J.M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford on a recent morning. “I love what I do. I love working on cars.” Marrero, who lives in Norwalk, is a senior at the technical school, where he studies automotive technology and has earned more certifications than some of the professionals he’s worked with at car dealerships and motorsports shops. While many high-schoolers decide to go to a traditional college, university, Marrero knew early on he wanted to learn a trade. In the fall, he’s headed to University of Northwestern Ohio to study diesel and high performance, and automotive business and administration. He hopes to fix cars for a living and to eventually start his own business — just as his father started his own electrical business after he went to trade school. Always a need Though Marrero’s father has closed the business and now works for the Bridgeport Fire Department, he still keeps himself busy with electrical projects on the side. “You always find something to fall back on, no matter what happens,” Marrero said. “People always need their cars fixed. People always need nurses. You’re always going to need electricians. You’re always going to need plumbers. “You’re always going to have skills that no one can take away from you,” he added. Phyllis Bartoli, principal of J.M. Wright Technical, said the need for trade school workers is booming in Fairfield County. Statewide, trade school jobs — such as electricians, barbers, plumbers, roofers and cooks — are among the fastest growing occupations, according to data from the state Department of Labor. J.M. Wright Technical trains students in 10 trades and is connected to local associations in related industries, including the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut. Read More 22 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2018 HBI Receives $50 Million Grant to Train 20,000 Skilled Workers aThe Home Depot Foundation nnounced yesterday a $50 million commitment to partner with HBI to train 20,000 new skilled workers over the next 10 years. HBI, the industry’s education arm, trains separating military members, high school students and at-risk youth for careers in the skilled trades. The grant will significantly increase the number of workers trained through HBI curriculum and help address the industry’s labor shortage. “We want to bring shop class back, from coast-to-coast,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “We’re thrilled to train 20,000 nextgeneration plumbers, electricians, carpenters and beyond.” HBI joined forces with The Home Depot Foundation last year to launch a pilot trades training program for military members at Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The first set of students will graduate this month. “Our program prepares men and women for high-growth careers in the industry after leaving military service,” said HBI CEO John Courson. “With 200,000 service members separating from the military every year, our partnership with The Home Depot Foundation enables us to serve more veterans across the country.” Read More
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