Building great futures

Local industry rep helps Heights’ CTE students develop skills & confidence in the sandbox

The name Chris Wooldridge may not sound familiar, but his involvement in Hamilton Heights High School’s Construction and Trades Education (CTE) Program is making a huge impact.

Wooldridge and his wife, Emily (a substitute nurse at Heights), have two children enrolled at Hamilton Heights. Several years ago, Dr. Derek Arrowood invited the Wooldridges to participate in the Superintendent Advisory Group, which meets quarterly offering parents the opportunity to learn more about the people, programs, and behind-the-scenes operations of the school district. From there, Wooldridge learned about the high school’s CTE and ultimately met Kevin Sheets, the program’s instructor.

“I was impressed,” Wooldridge recalled. “I went straight into the workforce after I graduated from high school. I think I could have really benefitted from a skilled trades program like this when I was in high school. The more I learned about Heights’ program, the more I felt I was in a perfect position to make an impact on students considering a career in the trades and the industry itself.”

Woolridge works as an Outside Account Manager for Bobcat of Indy North, which is part of a dealer group of more than 60 stores owned and operated by the Berry Company, headquartered in Wichita, Kan. He serves a six-county territory that includes Hamilton County.

Wooldridge loves what he does, and it shows. He lives and breathes something that is integral to the philosophy of the Berry Company: “We can build something great together.” Great products, customer-focused, and building strong and lasting relationships has been the cornerstone of success for the family-owned and operated business.

Last year, with the blessing of Bobcat of Indy North and the Berry Company, Wooldridge trailered various machinery to and from the Sandbox (the district’s outdoor construction education classroom) for students to gain hands-on experience and/or earn a specialty certification. This included mini loaders, excavators, on-track loaders, etc., whatever the students needed to develop their skill and mastery of a specialized piece of equipment. Wooldridge also provided the basics of operations of that item and safety instructions prior to turning it over to Sheets and the students for the day. It was a big hit, giving students a marketable skill and competitive advantage while they are still in high school.

With more kids in Heights’ CTE program, the need for onsite equipment to support learning has grown. Chris Wooldridge, in cooperation with Bobcat of Anderson and Bobcat of Indy North and have stepped up to meet that challenge. Two pieces of machinery will be brought to the Sandbox for a day and half as needed to support the hands-on learning/skill certification portion of Heights’ CTE program. (Photo provided)

This year, there were some changes in regulations meaning sales personnel like Wooldridge would no longer be able to transport equipment. Bobcat of Anderson and Bobcat Indy North stepped in to absorb the transportation costs and provide needed equipment for the students to use at no charge.

“Heights is giving students a marketable skill and competitive advantage while they are still in high school,” Wooldridge said. “It’s a good feeling of being of part of helping them to jumpstart their careers.”

“This really speaks volumes about Chris and the company he works for,” Sheets said. “Chris has been a gift to the program and as well as an incredible resource sharing his time, knowledge, and resources. The kids always look forward to seeing Chris, going to the Sandbox, putting their knowledge to the test, and developing a new skill that has a lot of practical application. Our program continues to grow and increase in value thanks to people like Chris and their companies that know investing in our youth pays big dividends.”

Wooldridge added, “There are more people retiring from the skilled trades than are entering. There is a definite need for more young people in the trades. Anything I can do, or the company can do, to help prepare students with the tools, experience, and confidence for this line of work is good for everyone. Dirt needs moved. We need young talent to support the future in building America. Business is driven by construction. The more operators, the more equipment is needed to start or support an existing business operating on the job site. Investing in our youth, who are interested in pursuing a career in our line of work just makes good sense.”