School Districts Partner to Host Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase
Date Posted: February 17, 2025
Posted In: Workforce,
From St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune: Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD), the county’s leading provider of career and technical education for high school students, is partnering with the Affton, Pattonville, and Rockwood school districts, along with area unions and industries to host the St. Louis County Apprenticeship and Career Pathways Showcase.
The showcase offers students and families direct access to regional employers and apprenticeship representatives seeking motivated talent ready to begin their careers. Families throughout the St. Louis region with students in grades six-12, as well as recent graduates, are invited to attend.
Showcase events are scheduled for:
- Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Tech High School, 1700 Derhake Road, Florissant, Mo. 63033.
- Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at South Tech High School, 12721 W. Watson Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63127.
The showcase highlights an important message: college isn’t the only path to success. Many industries are in urgent need of skilled workers, and technical certifications or apprenticeships can lead to lucrative careers. According to a 2023 Georgetown University study, 27 percent of workers with technical certifications or two-year degrees earn more than those with bachelor’s degrees, demonstrating that skilled trade careers can offer salaries that rival or exceed those requiring a four-year degree.
“These events offer students and their families a unique opportunity to learn about in-demand career paths across our region,” said Andi Harpring, SSD’s partnerships administrator. “Employers and training organizations are eager to connect with families to discuss job and training opportunities – many of which people are not aware of but lead to well-paying careers.”