MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Career Center Building Trades program recognized nine students who earned the status of “Building Trades Elite” (BTE).
BTE is a program generated by instructor Colby Clippinger and the KCCC Building Trades Advisory Council that began in 2019-2020. Students earn points for attendance, grades, industry credentialing and extracurricular activities. Students can lose points for being tardy or absent and for discipline issues. To earn BTE status, students must earn 250 points and must maintain it until graduation.
The BTE program is completely company-sponsored, according to Clippinger. Students who earn BTE status are awarded a hoodie and an interview shirt with the program crest and sponsors on the back.
“The BT Elite program creates a well-rounded and ready-to-hire student,” Clippinger said.
Juniors Brayden Noel, Levi Lyons, Charlie Kanagy, Dawson Hinton, Logan Small, Jaxon Swank, Dakota Allen, Lucas Herbst and Tanner Ratliff earned BTE status this week and received their hoodies and interview shirts. In total, 27 students have earned the designation.
According to the school, the program has had a profound impact on students.
“It continually helps keep students accountable for themselves, and they are now encouraging other students to attain the same level,” Clippinger said. “This will only improve the quality of tradespeople entering into the workforce.”
KCCC and the Building Trades program would like to thank the companies who sponsor BT Elite: J & B Acoustical, Ohio Contractors Association, ProTech Basement Solutions, LiUNA! Local 1216, Kokosing, Corna Kokosing, Brennstuhl Construction, Modern Builders, Gray Mechanical, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 735, and Rietschlin Construction.
