Fishers Prep Academy & Patterson Horth partner to create real career results for next generation of commercial construction trade workers
Submitted
Editor’s note: Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) Commercial Construction Prep Academy’s Fishers location, 11837 Technology Lane, is making great strides in helping to fill the country’s need for qualified, capable workers in the trades industries. One of ABC’s partners in that mission is Patterson Horth.
One of ABC Prep Academy’s valued partners, Patterson Horth, provided guest instruction and donated all materials and supplies to help students in the development of four stained concrete ABC signs.
The instruction covered the history of concrete, concrete properties, mixing and pouring processes, form development, the utilization of rebar, and staining techniques. The students had a great time with this project and gained valuable experience and exposure to the concrete industry.
Patterson Horth is a general contracting firm founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Indianapolis. Their primary trades are carpentry and concrete. Their scope of work reaches 27 states in the energy, educational, industrial, and health science markets.
“We appreciate the work ABC Prep Academy does in engaging students and providing a pathway to a career in the construction industry,” Founder and President Tim Horth said. “Personally, I have a heart for young people and the commercial construction industry provides a wide-variety of quality career opportunities and is especially a good path for students who may not wish to go the traditional college route. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the ABC Prep Academy as they continue to build the workforce of the future.”
Kneberg
Horth
ABC Prep Academy Director Robert Kneberg said, “Partnerships like this help us serve as a true pipeline to success in the commercial construction trades with real career results.”
The Fishers ABC Prep Academy offers a two-year credited program for high school juniors and seniors designed to teach students commercial construction trades with an emphasis in the carpentry, electrical, and plumbing trades.
Students in the first year of the program can earn the following certificates: OSHA 10 Construction, First Aid/CPR/AED, Lockout/Tag Out, Fall Protection Safety Awareness, Forklift, Boom Lift, Scissors Lift, National Center for Construction, Education and Research (NCCER) Core and NCCER Carpentry Level I.
Students learned how to properly mix, form, pour, and stain the concrete, as well as how to properly use rebar to stabilize the concrete signs. (Photos provided by ABC Prep Academy)
Students proceeding into the second year of the program can select a focus on carpentry, electrical, or plumbing and work with a company or a variety of companies to gain additional real-world experience. Second-year students can achieve up to an NCCER Level II certificate in either carpentry, electrical, or plumbing. They are also dual enrolled in an adult apprenticeship in the trade of their focus. This means students can complete the first year of an ABC, Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship while still in high school.
Last year, ABC had a 100-percent placement, with a start date in writing, for any student who wanted and was available for a paid summer internship, paid adult internship leading to part-time employment, or full-time employment. The academy expects the same this year.
“Through a very large association of local ABC Member Business, the support of ABC, and our sending schools, we can and do produce real career results for our students’ futures,” Kneberg said.