Students from the Adams County Ohio Valley CTC were recently invited to attend the SHEDIG Operating Engineers Event in Logan, Ohio, hosted by the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program and IUOE Local 18.
By Amy Jo Queen
Future Plans – GRIT Project
Students from the Adams County Ohio Valley CTC were recently invited to attend the SHEDIG Operating Engineers Event in Logan, Ohio, hosted by the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program and IUOE Local 18.
The day began with current instructors and female apprentices who shared their experiences in the trades and offered advice on pursuing these in-demand careers. Students then had the opportunity to operate heavy equipment firsthand, moving dirt and testing their skills on machinery that represents high-wage, high-demand jobs. IUOE Local 18 and the Apprenticeship Program welcomed students with professional support, informational resources, photos, t-shirts, and lunch, creating a full experience of what a future in the trades could look like.
When asked how experiences like SHEDIG will influence student career choices moving forward, Josh Michael, Director of Programs at the Ohio Valley CTC, responded, “At the Ohio Valley CTC, we believe every student deserves the chance to discover a pathway to success. Career-technical education is not just about preparing students for jobs, it’s about preparing them for meaningful careers that provide stability, opportunity, purpose, and growth. Our graduates often step into the workforce earning life-changing wages with little to no debt. At the Ohio Valley CTC, our motto says it best: Pioneers Today, Professionals Tomorrow.”
