In an effort to get more high school students interested in pursuing a trade career after graduation, such as plumbing, welding or construction, Albuquerque Public Schools’ Apprenticeship Council hosted a trade careers fair Monday at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex.

Students had the opportunity to learn more about trade career opportunities in a variety of fields, including law enforcement, engineering and even semi truck driving. Several simulators were available to give students a firsthand experience doing jobs such like welding or replacing fuses in a fuse box.

According to a press release from APS, “This began as an initiative by the APS Education Foundation’s student board members to provide their peers the same opportunity to experience career fairs as they do college fairs.”

From left, Be Pro Be Proud New Mexico Tour Manager Tish Montez smiles as she instructs Academy For Technology and The Classics junior Yailyn Cera on how to operate the Cat Simulator.
Students watch as East Mountain High School junior Katie Barker, right, operates a Cat Simulator during an APS trades career fair at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex on Monday.
Students listen as Mike Ray explains the virtual reality activities found inside the Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop during an APS career workshop at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex on Monday.

Original article by Gino Gutierrez, Albuquerque Journal, https://www.abqjournal.com/good_news/students-try-their-hand-at-trade-jobs-during-aps-career-fair/article_e3724cc2-e565-11ee-8a89-73fa6be7bd89.html#2