Two Manitowoc County High School graduates have signed letters of intent.
Not for any sports, but rather for the trade industry.
Jacob Hibbard of Mishicot and Brennan Hynek of Reedsville signed their “letters of intent” committing to a four-year Registered Apprenticeship during a brief ceremony yesterday at Bartow Builders in front of family and friends.
This allows both of them to continue working full-time at the Manitowoc business while attending college.
Both young men participated in the County’s Youth Apprenticeship Program with Bartow Builders during their senior year and will be attending Moraine Technical College in West Bend this fall to enhance their knowledge of Residential Carpentry.
Hibbard tells Seehafer News he is thankful for the opportunity saying, “I’m a little nervous but excited to get going. What I’m looking forward to the most is probably just growing with the company and learning every day.”
Hynek says that he’s always been a “hands-on” learner.
“I’ve always been interested in building things,” he said. “We’re a farming family and I never had the opportunity until it was presented to me at my school. They offered it to me and I said I’m going to take it, see what it’s all about and see if I like it.”
Both young men attended classes for part of the day, then would go a Bartow Builders job site and work while earning high school credit for the remainder of their day.
Kari Mueller represents the Manitowoc County Youth Apprenticeship Program, which she says gives students a leg up on being prepared for the working world adding this
“These students are getting better than a full ride to college,” she said. “The Registered Apprenticeship Program is solely sponsored by Bartow Builders. These two individuals are going to walk away with a journeymen’s card at the end and won’t have college debt like most students do.”
Brandon Bartow, owner of Bartow Builders says both Jacob and Brennan earned this opportunity.
“They have been with us for a year already and now have a great understanding on what they’re going to do daily,” he explained. “They also have a great understanding on what their daily grind will be like, and the skill sets they’ll be required to acquire over the years. What a blessing that we have the ability in our high school education system to be able to show these people that hey, this is an opportunity for you for the rest of your lives.”
The local business pays their full tuition and book fees.
Hibbard and Hynek must maintain a B or better average to remain in the program
For more information on the Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact Kari at kmueller@cesa6.org.
