Nineteen local residents are ready for well-paid careers in skilled trades like construction, electrical work, carpentry, building maintenance, plumbing and more after graduating from the OUC-sponsored Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

The graduation ceremony, with proud friends and family cheering on the grads, took place at the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center on August 13.

Alandus Sims, OUC’s Community Partnership and Projects Manager, opens the 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduation.

Alandus Sims, OUC’s Community Partnership and Projects Manager, opened the ceremony. Sims oversees OUC’s sponsorship of the workforce development program with the assistance of Alyssa Casamento, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator. LeMoyne Adams, Vice President of Electric & Water Distribution, gave the keynote address thanking the those involved in the program and congratulating the graduates. Debbie Rodriguez, President of iBuild U.S.A., the nonprofit that provides the instruction, provided the closing remarks.

Participants have been attending twice-weekly classes since April, 420 hours in all, with much of the program’s curriculum consisting of hands-on instruction. OUC covers tuition, supplies, and other costs for the program, which has been running since 2021. To graduate, participants passed rigorous competency exams and completed performance exams to earn industry-recognized certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

In addition to trade skills, they learned safety basics and workplace ethics, as well as communication and employability skills. Participants also received mentoring. OUC employees Astrid Washington, Director of Residential and Commercial Customer Service, Charmian Summerville, Senior Business Process Analyst, Nichole Krause, Senior Business Support Specialist, and Queen Massaline, Senior Community Engagement Coordinator, helped the participants prepare for job interviews.

LeMoyne Adams, Vice President of Electric & Water Distribution, congratulates the graduates in his keynote address.

During his visit in May, Corey Johnson, Water Operations Manager, spoke about his own career path, shared career advice and highlighted the importance of education and hard work. Johnson also told students about an upcoming job opportunity at OUC.

“This program provides valuable training that will equip students with the tools they need to go out and get a good job,” said Johnson. “One of my favorite quotes that I like to share with the program participants is ‘Find a career or a career will find you.’ In other words, you might as well do something you enjoy doing.”

With their certification, the graduates are now able to apply for full-time jobs as apprentices with local employers in need of qualified workers. Apprenticeships come with a commitment from their new bosses to continue their training, including paying for continuing education classes.

Past graduates are employed at many local companies, including Brothers Trucking, The Briar Team, Amazon, Mack Construction, ACE Construction and JK2 Scenic, among others.

OUC has two program grads on staff. Vale Price Jr., a 2021 graduate, is employed as a Warehouse Associate II at the Stanton Energy Center, while Craig Gordon, a 2024 graduate, recently joined OUC as an Apprentice Water Technician in Electric and Water Distribution.

Go here to find out more about the Pre-Apprenticeship Program and other educational initiatives sponsored by OUC.