The Knox County Career Center (KCCC) has announced that its Building Trades program has recognized seven students who have achieved the status of Building Trades Elite. This recognition is based on their skills and achievements in construction-related fields, as said in a press release issued on February 18.
According to the press release, the Building Trades Elite program was created by Colby Clippinger, the KCCC Building Trades instructor, along with the KCCC Building Trades Advisory Council. The program evaluates students based on attendance, discipline, industry credentialing, and extracurricular activities. Students earn points in these areas and must accumulate 250 points to achieve Building Trades Elite status. They are required to maintain this score until graduation.
Students who reach this elite status receive company-sponsored hoodies and interview shirts. The hoodies display the Building Trades Elite crest and sponsor logos, while the interview shirts feature the student's name along with the title. James Bennett, Pierce Leasure, Jayden Flack, Coen Frazier, Ayden Kennedy, Blake Green, and Kadence Mickley are among those who earned BT Elite status and received their awards. Since the program's inception, fifty-nine students from the Building Trades program have achieved this recognition.
Clippinger expressed appreciation for the companies partnering with them on the BT Elite program. He said that "the BT Elite program creates a well-rounded and ready-to-hire student." Clippinger also noted that "the BT Elite program has had a profound impact on the students," adding that it helps keep students accountable for themselves and encourages others to attain similar levels of achievement.
The Building Trades program at KCCC covers various construction skills such as commercial construction, metal framing, acoustical ceilings, insulation, drywall, masonry, heavy equipment fundamentals, site layout, and project management. Students gain industry credentials including First Aid & CPR certification; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour training; and aerial work platform certifications. The program provides hands-on experience through community projects and job sites where students learn techniques in plumbing, carpentry, electricity, and concrete.
