Workforce Solutions, partnering with AmTech Career Academy and the Education Credit Union Foundation, hosted a Texas Panhandle Career Signing Day Tuesday morning at AmTech to recognize students as they commit to career pathways in some high-demand fields. These include electrical, construction, HVAC and plumbing, media arts and information technology, architecture & culinary arts, dental, pharmacy, animal science and automotive technology.
Local business and industry professionals were on hand at the May 13 event to officially hire the graduating high school students and help fill local workforce needs, thanks to students’ training they acquired at AmTech during their school years.
“Students are immersed in actual labs and workshops where young professionals can practice their skills with technology and equipment they would find in any business or industry setting,” said Jay Barrett, principal of AmTech Career Academy. “Teachers are world-class professionals whose wealth of knowledge and skills in their field lead to rich, engaging experiences for their students. In addition, there are business professionals in the community who go alongside them to develop students through mentorships, apprentices and visiting professionals who can breathe the life of careers in our young professionals.”
“It’s such a great feeling to be part of this, and it’s such a wonderful institute to have these students not only go into the workforce — they are going to the workforce more prepared,” he said.
AmTech students can learn training in 28 career pathways housed within nine different AmTech schools, including animal science; architecture, construction, and manufacturing; business, marketing, and finance; culinary arts; law and public service; media arts and medical arts; STEM and information technology; and transportation.
Barrett thanked all the sponsors for helping the program’s success.
More than 35 students, who have been serving an internship with a business firm, went through training in their field through AmTech and then were signed to work at a business in order to get hands-on training in a real-world setting.
Instructor Keith Swearingen, left, stands with new hire Bryan Mata Valdavia, center, and Jeff Hamilton, second from left, and Davy Hamilton, far right, who own Hamilton Steel and Concrete, during the Texas Panhandle Career Signing Day, held at the AmTech Career Academy campus Tuesday morning.
One such firm, Hamilton Concrete & Steel, was at the ceremony to celebrate their new employee, Bryan Mata Valaivia, who will be working with their steel crew, building metal buildings.
“We do concrete work. We need spray foam insulation, and he’ll enjoy the ride in on the crew,” Jeff Hamilton said.
“There was no job too little or too big that we gave him, and he did his best, tried really hard and just worked,” Hamilton said. “Hard workers are hard to find sometimes, especially with young people, who are willing to just jump in and try things. We actually had two workers, and both were fantastic.” The Hamiltons said they are planning to continue with the program and have already agreed to intern two more students next year.
About their relationship with AmTech, he said, “AmTech is just second to none. They do a fantastic job of bringing these kids up and giving them the education they need to go straight into the workforce. With this facility and everything that’s here, it is very impressive. We gave Brian a $500 tool bonus, so he can go out and buy the tools he’ll need to perform his job.”
Tate Campbell and Jackson Beecher sign a work agreement with Street Toyota during a signing day event Tuesday after serving an internship there as part of their training with AmTech Career Academy.
Tate Campbell not only got the job she interned for, but also received a $1,000 scholarship from Education Credit Union to continue her studies in auto technology during the Texas Panhandle Career Signing Day, held at the AmTech Career Academy campus Tuesday morning.
One student, Tate Campbell, signed with Street Toyota. In addition, she received an Education Credit Union scholarship worth $1,000, presented by Amy McClenny, to continue her education. Campbell will be going to go to San Juan for an Auto Technician Degree and has already been certified in the Toyota system.
Another student, Tristan Hernandez, is being hired by Crush Wine Bar, and Chef Chase Reid was at the ceremony to welcome him. Culinary students do in-house practicums, and they do internships their senior year.
“Tristan has been one of those guys that just continually exceeds expectations,” Reid said. “I’ve never seen someone with so much passion. You give him a project or a task, and he’s going to practice it all night and day.”
The young student also excelled in SkillsUSA and is heading to the nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, to represent the state of Texas.
Zion Thomas was having trouble getting to classes on time so he began to take an Uber ride to be there. He signed a work agreement with Renew Painting Tuesday at the Career Day Signing held at AmTech.
Construction instructor Keith Swearingen told a story about student/intern Zion Thomas. “He started his practicum this year, and the company he went to actually won AISD’s choice for the Business Partner of the Year,” Swearingen said.
“Zion, in his sophomore year, was in my first period of class and having a hard time getting here on time,” he added. “All of the sudden, he started showing up on time so I asked him about his situation. He told me he was taking an Uber to get to my class on time. I already knew from the start that he was dedicated and ready to go.”
Construction students were presented tool boxes donated from the Kritser Endowment Fund through the Amarillo Area Foundation. The fund started with $50,000 in an endowment and grows about $28,800 a year, which the program has been able to use for tools. Electrician students were also presented with a special electrician’s kit to help with their work.
“The young professionals all showed up to their first day of work today, and they will continue to show up day after day, and after a 40-year career, they will have 8,799 days in the future,” said Swearingen, in closing.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Panhandle Career Day Signing Day begins graduates’ industry journeys