NEFBA’s Apprenticeship Program awarded certificates of completion to 14 graduates of its four-year construction trades training program.
In honor of the occasion, May 12 was proclaimed NEFBA Apprentice Day by order of the Jacksonville City Council.
“The NEFBA Apprenticeship Program is a source of great pride for our association,” said NEFBA Executive Director Corey Deal. “For more than 40 years, our Apprenticeship Program has provided quality training to supply the local construction industry.
“Not only does this program support the local economy by providing the labor required to build new homes and businesses, but it gives individuals who graduate from the program a career path with unlimited potential,” Deal continued.
NEFBA’s program is a four-year, earn-while-you-learn approach that equips its graduates with the skills and education to become carpenters, plumbers, electricians and heating and air-conditioning technicians.
NEFBA participating member employers pay tuition and pay apprentice wages. Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Johns River State College provide training facilities and instructors.
“Not everyone wants to or is able to go college,” said NEFBA Training Vice President and President of Thomas May Construction Keith Ward. “Studies tell us that apprenticeship is a highly effective alternative to college for preparing students for a successful career. And apprentices do not incur the burden of student loans.
“Many of our apprentices rise to the top of the ladder as supervisors and administrators, start their own businesses or advance within the trade doing work they love and earning a wage equivalent to or more than college graduates,” Ward added.
Rick Morales, NEFBA’s 2015 president, delivered the commencement speech. Special guests from local building and construction companies addressed the graduates and their families and friends at Florida State College of Jacksonville at the event.
The Florida Association of Electrical Contractors donated gifts for each graduate.
Awards were presented to the outstanding students in each trade:
• Michael A. Roundtree, Hinson Electrical, outstanding electrical Apprentice
• Bryce A. Broyan, Beaver Street Fisheries, Outstanding HVAC apprentice
• Thomas B. Barnes III, McKendree’s Plumbing, outstanding plumbing apprentice
The Carmel Morris Employer of the Year Award was presented to Thomas May Construction and was accepted by Keith Ward and Brandon Warner.