International Code Council’s High School Technical Training Program concludes its sixth year

Program has issued 1,083 certificates over the past six years

Twenty-two students representing technical high schools and colleges that offer the International Code Council’s High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) were among those competing in the national building design competition at the 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (SkillsUSA) June 19-23 in Louisville, Ky. SkillsUSA is a showcase of career and technical education students. More than 16,000 people — including students, teachers and business partners — participated in the week-long event.

More than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students — all state contest winners — competed in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields. Students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as engineering technology and design, technical drafting, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, electrical construction wiring, welding fabrication, carpentry, masonry, fire fighting, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning, architecture and plumbing. Industry, trade associations and labor organizations run the contests, and industry sets test competencies. The competitions are open to the public and free of charge.

Students from schools that offer ICC’s High School Technical Training Program — Warwick Technical High School in Warwick, R.I., Triplett Tech in Shenandoah County, Va., Polytech High School in Woodside, Del., and Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (Brownstown Campus) in Ephrata, Pa., — competed at SkillsUSA. Students participating in construction-oriented competitions included: Addison Oliver, Nicholas Horne, Jayce Corria and Daniel Dwyer (Warwick Technical High School); Brandon Jenkins, Joey Avvenire, Tyler Plauger, Cory Pittington, Elijah Williams and Zach Biggs (Triplett Tech); Justin Land (Polytech High School); and Nick Vanderwende, Timothy Crouse and Doe “Chris” Htoo (Lancaster County Career & Technology Center).

International Code Council High School Technical Training Program Liaison James Ellwood attended the SkillsUSA competition in support of the students from the program’s participating schools. Last year, ICC had two colleges and two high schools from the SkillsUSA competition join the HSTTP program. This year, many interested program instructors requested information about the program and facilitated networking with industry colleagues on site.

Dave Encerode, a computer-aided design and drafting instructor from Pennsylvania who runs the HSTTP in his CADD program, mentioned that the prizes for the students were lacking this year. The Code Council pitched in and offered 2015 International Residential Code books and study companions for the top-six metal winners. They were very happy to receive the books, and ICC is sending the books and study companions directly to the winning schools with a package on the HSTTP program. Ellwood also reached out to the architect in charge of the architectural building design competition on using the International Codes for future competitions.

For those interested in starting an HSTTP program, Ellwood will present on How to Start a High School Technical Training Program at Your Local Technical High School or College at this year’s ICC Annual Conference at 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the Exhibitor’s Hall. See, hear and understand how easily a code official or business can start and mentor the next generation workforce. The presentation will provide participants an avenue to initiate a community outreach program that will benefit their trade or business and establish a relationship with the youth in their community. The ICC’s High School Technical Training Program has educated school counselors and instructors to the careers associated with code knowledge. Learn how you can make a difference in your community.