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Conduits and cars: MHS programs set up students for careers

Nick Blank
Posted 12/8/21

MIDDLEBURG – Students are getting ready for the real world with electrical and automotive Career and Technical Education courses at Middleburg High.

The electrical classroom contains the …

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Conduits and cars: MHS programs set up students for careers


Posted

MIDDLEBURG – Students are getting ready for the real world with electrical and automotive Career and Technical Education courses at Middleburg High.

The electrical classroom contains the framework of a house, built by carpentry students, that’s just under 2,000 square feet. Students are shown how to wire different areas of the structure.

“It’s basically how a house would be wired in public,” instructor Billy Mathis said.

Mathis is a veteran of the field and passes on his knowledge to students over multiple levels. On the house’s exterior are outlets, switches, lights and doorbell chimes.

The field needs workers with electrical experience and certifications, Mathis added. Students complete projects around the school, from hooking up lights to golf carts to stadium improvements.

“Here, they get all that base knowledge. They can skip a year of apprenticeship,” Mathis said. “They’re learning how to control power and send it where you want it to go.”

On Monday morning, Mathis said his high-level seniors were on track to well-paying jobs.

“They become like your children. I’ve had this group for four years,” Mathis said. “… Absolutely I’m proud of them.”

Senior Blake Barfield wants to work in the field after high school. At a base level, the coursework on switches and outlets can be used in everyday life, he said, but Middleburg’s electrical program gives students the ability to seek apprenticeships.

“It’s a lot of learning and preparing you for things you wouldn’t expect,” Barfield said. “It’s cool learning how to do it all and how to do it yourself.”

Close by is a garage where automotive career and technical education students work on cars.

Teacher James Jourdan said students can earn certifications like painting and finishing, and structural and damage repairs. The cars worked on are usually donations. Students can also work on individual parts like hoods or fenders.

“They’ll gain the experience and they’ll have the certifications to go with it,” Jourdan said. “In today’s world that will give you a leg up.”

Other tasks include restoring a Chevrolet Chevette, safely learning how to prepare a car or repairing a chip with a sander.

“A lot of these take a lot of time,” Jourdan said.

Edward McCreary said the program is giving him skills for the future. The class gives him a chance to work with his hands, he said.

“You go to the shop and have fun, it’s like fun, but it’s work,” McCreary said. “These [Automotive Service Excellence] certifications carry over with us into our jobs.”

Principal Martin Aftuck said CTE programs, of which Middleburg has 14, can help get some students through the day. He said the goal for every student is that they either go to college, join the military or become gainfully employed.

“Because of the skills and trades they’re learning here, I think it’s a testament to what our teachers do,” Aftuck said.