Central Technical School and American Standard

Wow! Incredible! Unbelievable! These were some of the words conveyed by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) plumbing students at Central Tech, on March 23rd, 2011. The team from American Standard paid a visit to the plumbing classes and showcased the latest in Eco Friendly plumbing faucets and toilets. They trained the students on how to service and repair the fixtures; experience they can take with them as they go out to work. All 35 of the OYAP/SHSM students will be going out to plumbing companies in the middle of April and expect to continue with an apprenticeship after the school year ends. Last year, just over 85% received apprenticeship offers by the companies they worked for. This year, 14 Central Tech plumbing students got accepted into Plumbers United Association Local 46.

In the last couple of years, the staff at Central Tech has started to create partnerships with American Standard and other plumbing corporations, in a bid to bring real work environment into the classroom. When American Standard first visited the school, they were blown away with the caliber of work and dedication the students exhibited. Encouraged by the brand new and updated shop made possible through the TDSB Tour Ready fund, American Standard wanted to be on board and participate in growing the plumbing program. They generously donated approximately $20,000 of American Standard faucets and fixtures for the students to gain current hands on experience.

It’s a win-win for both students and American Standard. The students get the experience of working with some of the newest products on the market, and American Standard gets the attention of the newest plumbers in the workforce. Energy and enthusiasm were in great supply on both sides of the desk.

At the end of the training seminar the students went home with brand new, top-of-the-line faucets to kick-start their career in plumbing – a surprise gift from American Standard that got more than one student saying… I know what I’m doing once I get home!