COURTLAND
Southampton High School students interested in a career as an electrician will have the opportunity to be workforce-ready upon graduation, as the district will provide hands-on instruction and online classes as part of its new electricity program. The two-year program will be taught by employees of Highground Services Inc. of Franklin, and will feature curriculum based on the Virginia Department of Education’s competencies.

“It’s a pretty unique agreement where Jim Strozier of Highground — an engineering consultant — is going to provide an electrical engineer, as well as a Class A electrician, to come to the high school and actually teach the students three days per week in the electricity lab at Southampton and here in the CTE center,” Superintendent Dr. Alvera J. Parrish said. “As you look at the benefits to the students, of course, the career preparation for employment as an electrician or for careers in architecture, construction or technology, the credentials [will be] recognized in Virginia, as well as nationally.”

The students will learn through an online apprenticeship module during the other two days of the school week to help them achieve National Electric Code certification. Internships will also be available through the program.

“We’re excited about being able to offer [this program] in spite of some of the budget issues that we’re facing,” Parrish said, adding that the program comes at no cost to the district’s operational budget. “That’s the good thing about it.”