Sometimes a construction site is the best classroom.
That’s certainly the case for a group of Katella High School students who have been given a unique opportunity to learn about the construction trades directly from industry professionals at real job sites.
Operated through a partnership with Lennar Homes, Lennar University is providing hands-on lessons to a select group from Katella ROP teacher John Puckett’s Building Industry Technology Academy. The program was made possible by Anaheim’s Innovative Mentoring Experience, or AIME. Launched by Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda, AIME offers more than 20 twenty career technical education pathways at the district’s high schools, representing over a dozen industries.
“The goal of Lennar University is to take the students from the classroom to bring them out to the construction site,” says John Lavender, vice president with Lennar Homes. “We’ll spend some time in our classroom teaching them from the trades. The trades will come in and show them firsthand. They’re also getting the opportunity to meet the trade partners.”
As one student aptly noted, the demand is strong for skilled workers in these trades. And the interest among students is high, as more than 30 applied for 10 Lennar University positions. The video has more.