Rockwood Students Achieve 100% Placement in New County Apprenticeship Program

On May 26, six Rockwood School District students participated in a Signing Day event after being selected for the Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) program, which recently expanded to include St. Louis County following a successful launch in St. Charles County last year.

In December, Rockwood joined eight other St. Louis County school districts and signed an agreement to join the U.S. Department of Labor’s registered apprenticeship program, providing career and technical opportunities for high school students. In partnership with Career WayZ, the program offers students who are interested in manufacturing hands-on access to high-wage, high-demand careers while still in high school. The program calls for 2,000 work hours, which can be nights, weekends or, if eligible, during school hours. Upon completion, students will receive a Department of Labor recognized credential, which can lead to job and career opportunities or additional training and certification. 

“This apprenticeship program bridges that gap between the classroom and the shop floor by providing the opportunity for our Rockwood students to build real-world skills, launch meaningful careers and become the next generation of innovators that will drive our region’s manufacturing future,” shared Partners in Education Coordinator Ben Hebisen.

According to Matt Schindler, Rockwood’s career shadowing facilitator, interested students first met at their school district level earlier this year to learn more about RYA. A total of 47 students from across the county indicated interest, and six of those were Rockwood students. 

Career WayZ brought the interested students together on multiple occasions this spring to offer them social skill training, safety training, mock interviews and tours of the companies that would eventually interview them for apprenticeship positions. Career Wayz leaders then organized an interview night with interested local companies they had vetted. 

Out of the 47 students who interviewed from the St. Louis County school districts, 22 students were extended offers from the participating companies. All six Rockwood students received and accepted offers. They are:

• Peyton Fipps, Rockwood Summit High, will be working for Natoli Engineering
• Justin Kuebee, Rockwood Summit, will be working for FSI
• Aiden Howes, Lafayette High/South Tech, will be working for Trinity Products
• Tyler Kiser, Eureka High/South Tech, will be working for Trinity Products
• Bailey Reed, Rockwood Summit/South Tech, will be working for Jost Chemical
• Jackson Reeves, Eureka/South Tech, will be working with Seyer Industries

Reeves is a rising senior at Eureka High and also attends South Tech in the Special School District (SSD). He says he first became interested in the program while attending South Tech High School. 

“My teacher there spoke with me about the idea of possibly interning for a company and being able to have the chance of Career Wayz being able to provide that for us,” shared Reeves. “To actually work for one of the top companies in the manufacturing industry is what really attracted me to the program. I plan on definitely becoming a CNC (computer numerical control) engineer in mill operations for a manufacturing company, hopefully sticking with Seyer for as long as possible. I’m very excited to see where it takes me and to see what opportunities they may offer me there.”

Other county school districts who have committed to offering this opportunity to their students are Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Parkway, SSD and Valley Park. 

Participating Companies

Quest Specialty Products, National Cart Company, Natoli Engineering, Seyer Industries, Trinity Products, Beckwood Corporation, Component Bar Products, Kemco Aerospace Manufacturing, FSI, R&S Machining, WB Industries, Jost Chemical, Patriot Machine, Hydromat, Craftsmen Industries and Magne Power