Students learn about skilled trades options at Rancho Bernardo event
by Elizabeth Marie Himchak
Teens and young adults from throughout the region had an opportunity to learn about various trades they can pursue as careers during a fair in Rancho Bernardo.
The third annual Skilled Trades Fair was held on Nov. 14 at San Diego Oasis in RB. It was designed for high school students, their parents and adults looking for career options. Present were representatives from several union trades and apprenticeship programs, who explained the training, testing assistance, pay, retirement pension and healthcare benefits those who work in fields such as construction, plumbing and electricity can earn without going to college.
The fair was created, organized and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Los Rancheros and the National Electrical Contractors Association, with support from the Poway Unified School District Foundation. The Los Rancheros Kiwanians – based in Rancho Bernardo – recently merged with the Kiwanis Club of Poway to form a new organization, the Kiwanis Club of Poway & The Ranches.
Lorenzo Miles, representing the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program through the Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, San Diego. (Criselda Yee)
Lorenzo Miles shares information about the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program with Julia Alvarado and Kieran Roche. (Criselda Yee)
Joshua Perez, Adrian Peña, Diego Perez and Ricardo Peña. Two of the young men are currently studying HVAC, and they attended to explore other career options. (Criselda Yee)
Lydia Beauchamp, Reed Reichart (Kiwanis Club of Poway and the Ranches co-coordinator of the Skilled Trades Fair), Pam Hixson, Andy Berg (executive director, San Diego Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association), John Couvrette and Mark Rataczak. All except for Berg are members of the newly combined Kiwanis Club of Poway and the Ranches. (Criselda Yee)
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Lorenzo Miles, representing the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program through the Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, San Diego. (Criselda Yee)
Kiwanis Club of Poway and the Ranches members: Lydia Beachamp, Pam Hixson, John Couvrette and Mark Rataczak chat with attendee Alex Tschauner as he checks in for the Skilled Trades Fair. (Criselda Yee)
Attendee Joseph Lundquist, after receiving information from Ansermio Estrada at the San Diego County Building Trades Union table. (Criselda Yee)
Ansermio Estrada represented the San Diego County Building Trades Unions. (Criselda Yee)
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Kiwanis Club of Poway and the Ranches members: Lydia Beachamp, Pam Hixson, John Couvrette and Mark Rataczak chat with attendee Alex Tschauner as he checks in for the Skilled Trades Fair. (Criselda Yee)
Students from San Diego County Kiwins (high school service organization that is part of Key Club International) and their two advisers. From left, Raymond Turla, Keana Ignacio, Ava Bacsal, Chloe Carrillo, Maren Barlisan, Mario Garcia (regional Adviser-San Diego County, Cal-Nev-Ha Kiwins), Thu Le, Nathan Leon (student-elected Lt. Gov. of the Greater San Diego Region, CNH Kiwins), Mark Miranda, Ron Moehlig (Kiwin’s assistant regional adviser, Cal-Nev-Ha District of Kiwanis). (Criselda Yee)
Sara Simpson (burgundy shirt) shared information about the Electrical Training Institute of San Diego and Imperial Counties (part of the San Diego Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association). (Criselda Yee)
From left, Lydia Beauchamp, John Rigby and Neil Tarzy (volunteers from Kiwanis Club of Poway & the Ranches) work the registration table. Attendee Lillian Sossong is speaking to them. (Criselda Yee)
Ansermio Estrada represented the San Diego County Building Trades Union. (Criselda Yee)
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Students from San Diego County Kiwins (high school service organization that is part of Key Club International) and their two advisers. From left, Raymond Turla, Keana Ignacio, Ava Bacsal, Chloe Carrillo, Maren Barlisan, Mario Garcia (regional Adviser-San Diego County, Cal-Nev-Ha Kiwins), Thu Le, Nathan Leon (student-elected Lt. Gov. of the Greater San Diego Region, CNH Kiwins), Mark Miranda, Ron Moehlig (Kiwin’s assistant regional adviser, Cal-Nev-Ha District of Kiwanis). (Criselda Yee)
