Aug. 28, 2007 — Officials of the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) and Pinnacle Services (Pinnacle) held a reception and orientation meeting at the Center on Saturday to welcome 33 ninth-grade students into its industrial craft training program, according to a Hovensa news release.
The program, sponsored by Hovensa, the Board of Technical Education and the Department of Education, provides nationally certified training to students as millwrights, electricians or instrument technicians while the students are completing academic requirements for their high school diplomas.
CTEC Principal Anastasie Jackson greeted the students and parents who attended the meeting. She told them she is pleased that the students have chosen to participate in such a demanding program, and she challenged the students to pursue their dreams to the fullest.
Pinnacle’s Training Manager, Daniel McIntosh, gave the students information on the curriculum of the program and the rules and regulations with which the students are expected to comply. In addition, McIntosh introduced the students to the training instructors. Pinnacle administers the Craft Training Program at CTEC.
Hovensa’s program coordinator, Sam Baptiste, greeted the students on behalf of the company. He pledged Hovensa’s continued commitment to the program. Baptiste reminded the students how important a good education is in today’s society and offered his assistance to them to ensure they all succeed in completing the first year.
The 33 ninth graders enrolled in the program this school year will begin the core curriculum in January 2008 at the start of the second semester of this school year. The 41 students who completed the core curriculum last year will begin their craft training this month. Hovensa has made a commitment that annually at least 20 students who graduate with a certificate from this program will be placed in regular jobs at the refinery.
