Fremont High School adds skills labs to improve employment opportunities

Fremont High School started the school year with a new building after a $123 million bond issue passed in the district.

The Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) has six state-of-the-art laboratories to teach job skills and trades including auto mechanics, welding, construction drafting, mechatronics, robotics and health sciences. The construction of the building accounted for $28 million of the bond issue.

It’s the first time in two years the entire school is open.

Principal Myron Sikora said the lab classes are nearly full.

“We're definitely excited to be moving forward, making progress, providing as many opportunities as we can for students,” he said. “I think some kids say school's boring, but I think that's changing quite a bit here.”

The lab classes partner with Metro Community College and local businesses to train the students and offer equipment, materials and other supplies. This is also the first time in two years the school is not under construction.

“We're hoping that some students who may not be interested in, at this time, going on to college or that kind of thing, that they'll gain some skills here that will allow them to get out and get some employment,” Sikora added.

Many of the jobs that correspond with Fremont High School’s lab classes remain in high demand. According to economic data, there are more nursing and construction job postings than traditionally “white collar” jobs postings like marketing and software development.

The school’s welding academy has been available for a number of years with Metro Community College, which Sikora said has been successful. He said a lot of students have been able to use the certificate they earn to go on to employment or future education.