St. Louis-based General Contractor and Design/Builder PARIC Corporation is developing a “pipeline” to grow a more diverse work force and to give the next generation of workers a jumpstart on transitioning from the classroom to the workplace. PARIC is partnering with craft unions, career/technical high schools and with city and state job training programs including the Building Union Diversity apprenticeship program (BUD), the City of St. Louis Office of Training and Employment (SLATE), the Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) and the MOKAN construction training program. These programs and partners help experienced or inexperienced minorities, women, and City of St. Louis residents gain the education they need to become a full-time tradesperson. PARIC recently hosted a “Signing Day” at which the company invited local graduates from a variety of schools and apprenticeship programs to the corporate office to meet the executive team and be officially welcomed to the company as a tradesperson.
Pictured Seated LEFT TO RIGHT: Signing for Employment in Junior Internship Program for High School Seniors • Kyle Fisher — Ballwin resident; will begin senior year at South County Tech this fall. • Jared Hake – Ellisville resident; will begin senior year at South County Tech this fall. Signing for Employment as an Apprentice • Cole Leah – St. Peters resident; Entered Carpenters’ apprenticeship; Graduate of St. Charles Lewis and Clark Career Center. • Lionell Davis – St. Louis City resident; Current apprentice with the St. Louis Office of Training and Employment (SLATE) construction training program. • Kathleen English – St. Louis City resident; Entered Laborers’ apprenticeship; Trained and worked full-time in retail; Bachelor’s degree; Participant in Building Union Diversity (BUD) construction training program. • Brandon Evans – St. Louis City resident; Entered Carpenters’ apprenticeship; Graduate of MOKAN construction training program. • Javion Steward – St. Louis City resident; Entered Carpenters’ apprenticeship; Graduate of Building Union Diversity (BUD) construction training program. • JC Sykes – St. Louis City resident; Entering Carpenters’ apprenticeship; Trained and worked full-time as a nurse and as a creative writer; Bachelor’s degree; Participant in Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) construction training program.