SAN MARCOS – The San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) has received approval from the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) that their Construction Pathway, part of the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program, now has Pre-Apprenticeship designation.
“Having our Construction Pathway receive Pre-Apprenticeship designation means that students looking for high-paying jobs in the construction field will be able to take appropriate coursework while in high school and simultaneously earn 180 hours of experience in a trade,” says Nicole DiRanna, Director of K12 Equitable Curriculum and Instruction. “Many of the students in our Construction courses are looking for apprenticeship programs when they graduate; this allows them to get a jump start on their career goals,” remarked DiRanna.
California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) registered Pre-apprenticeship programs prepare individuals to enter and succeed in DAS Registered Apprenticeship programs. Beginning in the fall of 2024, San Marcos High School will begin offering a registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of San Diego, allowing students to earn up to 180 hours of experience in high school, before formal acceptance into the AGC Apprenticeship program upon graduation. “Prior to this, our Construction program had built and maintained a strong working relationship with AGC,” said DiRanna. “This is the next natural step in the evolution of our partnership with them.”
Students who enter the Pre-Apprenticeship program will not only receive a free pair of work boots and a tool belt, but upon graduation will also be able to “earn while they learn” as a full time apprentice in the Construction Industry earning a median salary of $76,928.
“Engaging coursework and partnerships like these not only help our students become ready for the next step after high school, or as we call Future Ready, but they also create a pipeline in areas of our local economy that need this skilled workforce,” says Dr. Andy Johnsen, SMUSD Superintendent.
