STARS report shows 90% placement rate for May graduates

Ninety percent of high school seniors who attended the STARS program and want to apply for jobs in the trades industry were placed in those jobs, according to STARS instructor Shane Kern. (Journal file photo)

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

PLEASANTON – According to a report to the STARS board of directors earlier this month, 90% of the seniors who were looking to join the workforce and graduated from the job training program were successfully placed. 

At a meeting of the Southeast Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) board on Aug. 4, Shane Kern, who acts in a dual capacity as welding instructor and industry liaison, said that the average starting wage for those who were placed was nearly $22 per hour. That figure moved up after three month on the job to $23.21 per hour because of the skill set the STARS graduates brought their jobs.

Of the 21 students placed in jobs, about a third of them were either working in welding or pipefitting trades. Painting, electrical and plumbing companies also hired graduates as did a painting company and a company that does product testing, according to Kern.

He said that most of the feedback from employers has been positive. However, there were also suggestions for improvements. That included the need for more emphasis on preparing the students to recognize the need to work overtime on the trade jobs.

They also suggested that students have a better understanding of using a builders level and understanding site grades. Also on the list was learning more about interpreting building drawings.

Kern also acknowledged a handful of failures, including five students who had secured jobs but didn't follow through to get on the company's payroll.

One student failed to get a drivers license that was lost out on an ironworking placement. Another student failed a drug test and will be forced to wait six months before testing again.

Kern also said that part of the problems he was having was with parents who didn’t understand the demand that apprentice jobs place on new workers. To address that, he said he plans to have a parent open house next February to talk with parents and guardians about what a trades job demands.