b'(taking) this route. Its an opportunity to use their ment about the workforce in St. Louis: Theres not a TarenceTullock (left), a studentpotential in the best way. shortage of jobs in St. Louis; theres a shortage of atSt.MarysSouthSideCatholicSt. Marys offers the pre-apprentice program as an people willing to do the jobs. High School in St.Louis, workswith instructorTracy Hykes aselectiveinthefallsemester.Theprogram,whichstarted Thats when I said, thats it. England said, noting fellow student Ethan Smithin 2023, is funded through the 2026-27 school year by thatwithskilledtradestraining,Ourkidswillhavethe observes.the Missouri Works Initiative of the MissouriAFL-CIO, opportunity for good paying jobs, and it will improvewhich is headed by St. Marys graduate Jake Hummel. their economic situation.Hummel worked in collaboration with school An economic payoff may come soon after gradua-presidentMikeEnglandindevelopingthepre-apprentice tion, with students potentially going right into paidprogram, though the school has dabbled in the trades apprenticeships. Agraduate from the classs firstin the past. An old building on campus, which since cohort of 13 went that route. In addition, five othershas been razed, was used for some electrical and went on to trade schools for futher training.HVAC training. The school also has partnered with The reality of the situation is that you can have aRanken Technical College, a St. Louis-based school very successful life and make good money workingfocused on the trades that allows dual enrollment for in the trades, Todd said, noting that people whoSt. Marys students. go this direction dont have to worry about studentConversations with Ranken officials prompted loans. They make money right away, and they dontEngland to take it up a notch after hearing their assess- have that other burden.marianist.com/donate17'