Instructor Karl Hoffman’s Middleburg High School Electrical Program students under the Academy of Architecture, Construction and Interior Design (AACID) were excited to have David Harp, owner of Harp Electrical Contractors LLC, spend the day with them Sept. 18.
Harp shared his personal testimonial about how the hands-on career and leadership skills learned in the electrical program at Middleburg High School, including involvement in SkillsUSA competitions and NCCER Electrical industry certifications, led to his current career.
Harp shared that upon graduating from high school, he furthered his career training by enrolling in the Northeast Florida Builders Association Electrical Apprenticeship Program.
He completed his journeyman’s electrician license and then became a master electrician and opened his own company. Students learned that pursuing their school and career goals can lead to an electrifying and lucrative career.
Harp demonstrated residential wiring techniques to the first-year electrical students and then charged the students to perform the wiring task.
He critiqued their work as to quality, neatness and speed, sharing the employer expectations and the tips students need to be successful on the job and in SkillsUSA competitions.
The advanced electrical students were energized by Harp’s willingness to bring the supplies and teach them about LED lighting. Students learned about the three components of LED lighting (Lumens, Kelvins, and CRI) and were able to wire and connect an LED lighting fixture in their shop.
With support from business partners and advisory board members like David Harp and NEFBA, students get plugged in to hands-on career training while pursuing their educational and career goals.
Special thanks to Clay County School District’s Tech Talk Newsletter and Stacey Rutherford, academy coach, Clay County School District, Career and Technical Education Department, Middleburg High School, for sharing this story.