First CTEC Class Recognized

Students of the first Construction Trades Education Curriculum class were recognized for completing the yearlong course in a private ceremony held at the Effingham Public Library. The ceremony also celebrated the successful first year of the program, which is dedicated to equipping Effingham County students with the basic skills and experience they need to secure a job in construction trades upon graduating high school.

Among those in attendance were CTEC Board President Bryan Wenthe, CTEC instructor Jedediah Shumaker, City Administrator James Arndt, Commissioner Don Althoff, and Mayor Jeff Bloemker. Several business leaders from the local construction community who are investors in the program were also present.

Prior to presenting the students with certificates of completion, Bloemker gave a brief address, commending them for their accomplishments. “It was an absolute honor to be able to recognize this inaugural Construction Trades Education Class with their completion certificates,” said Bloemker. “We’re proud of these young people and we know they will become successful employees and productive citizens.”

The success of the program’s first year is due, in part, to the City of Effingham, which provided CTEC with an initial grant of $75,000 to pay for textbooks, materials, equipment and the instructor’s salary.

According to Althoff, the city’s initial investment is already paying off, because 16 of the 19 CTEC graduates have decided to start a career in construction trades. “It’s been a blessing how it’s worked out and how everything was put together,” he said.

Although all students were recognized, two were presented individual awards by Wenthe for their achievements throughout the year. Teutopolis High School senior Richard Wente received the “Leadership Award” for serving as a student representative on the CTEC Board and being a positive role model for his classmates. Effingham junior Tyler Lindsey, who plans on returning to assist “Coach” Shumaker during class next year, received the “Underdog Award” for his outstanding growth and personal development throughout the year.

“The biggest thing for me was seeing the growth and maturity of the students,” said Wenthe. He went on to describe instances at Effingham’s annual Home Builder’s Show where CTEC students actively networked with vendors and even showed students in the upcoming CTEC class how to properly shake hands and make introductions. Wenthe attributes the class’s development to Shumaker, who planned the curriculum, provided instruction and facilitated learning each morning since the beginning of the year.

“Jed deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done,” said Wenthe. “I look forward to his leadership over the next few years and I believe we’ve only got better things in years to come.”

To learn more about CTEC’s history, explore the curriculum and find out how to get involved, visit learnconstruction.org.