Chattanooga Students Thrive in Local Mentorship Program
Ooltewah High School Student Discovers Passion for Architecture
In Chattanooga, a mentorship program aimed at high school students is making significant strides in the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. Ooltewah High School student Jocelyn Rocha has taken part in this initiative, which emphasizes practical experience and job skills. Inspired while volunteering at the Creative Discovery Museum, Rocha joined the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) mentor program to explore her growing interest in interior design and architecture.
Hands-On Experience Leads to Scholarships
During her junior year, Rocha was part of a team that designed a mock multi-use building, mirroring the PIE (Partnerships in Industry and Education) innovation center in Cleveland, Tennessee. In her senior year, she participated in a project focused on developing a property on Market Street in downtown Chattanooga. “This gave me some great hands-on experience in a career that I want to pursue,” Rocha remarked. Her teams not only received top honors for their proposals in 2022 and 2023 but Rocha also earned a $6,000 ACE scholarship. She plans to funnel this scholarship towards her education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after completing a two-year degree at Chattanooga State Community College.
Apprenticeships on the Rise Amidst Declining College Enrollment
As the cost of traditional four-year college degrees continues to rise, many students are seeking alternatives. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, college enrollment has dropped by approximately 1.5 million students, or 7.4%, in recent years. Apprenticeships, however, are steadily increasing, with participation nearly doubling for men within the last decade, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Chattanooga has emerged as a hub for apprenticeship programs, recognized as one of a select few “Apprenticeship Innovation Districts” in America. With support from federal grants and organizations like BuildWithin, the city is making strides in connecting businesses, educational institutions, and community partners to prepare students for in-demand jobs.
Key Partnerships Foster Growth
Programs such as Hamilton County’s Future Ready Institutes and the Chattanooga Construction Center train both high school and adult students, providing real-world skills needed for vocational and college-bound careers. Educators believe these apprenticeship programs can significantly impact local families by equipping students with essential skills for sustainable employment.
Walton Robinson, the head of the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Apprenticeship Hub, emphasized that these programs help businesses train their employees while providing a structured learning environment. “We’ve lowered the barriers for businesses that are interested in starting apprenticeship programs,” Robinson stated.
Diverse Opportunities for Students
The ACE mentor program operates by pairing students with experienced mentors from local construction and design industries. Participants meet weekly at various locations, including high schools and offices of local businesses. These meetings involve designing hypothetical projects and learning to use advanced tools like AutoCAD and SketchUp.
“Students get to experience what actually happens in the design and construction process. It is invaluable,” explained Jeff Rayburn, an engineer and president of the Chattanooga chapter of ACE.
Linda Allen, an architect who was instrumental in establishing the ACE program in Chattanooga, highlighted its role in attracting diverse talent to engineering and architecture. This program has been successful in nurturing new generations of potential leaders within these fields.
Future Prospects Bright for Students
The ACE program not only provides students with practical skills but also connects them to industry professionals and potential career paths. Mentors like Caitlin Moffit, a civil engineer, share their experiences in hopes of guiding students on their career journeys. Currently, project teams are working on a new visitor center concept for the Ocoee Whitewater Center, aiming to replace the facility destroyed by fire in 2022.
As Chattanooga continues to develop its workforce through programs like ACE mentoring and apprenticeships, the community can expect a bright future ahead, with more students prepared for successful careers in critical industries.
