The John Marshall High School (JMHS) Carpentry classes, a two-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) completer program taught by Matthew Ali, are expanding opportunities for students through an exciting new pre-apprenticeship initiative, a first of its kind for a West Virginia high school.

Beginning this semester, the JMHS Carpentry program will offer an official pre-apprenticeship program through the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU). In tandem with this rollout, the program is partnering with the Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council. Together, these initiatives will deliver an additional industry-recognized certification designed specifically for students eager to build a lucrative career in the construction trades.

This comprehensive trade pathway is structured as a two-year program. It will welcome its first cohort of high school juniors, who will complete the specialized curriculum and earn their credentials concurrently with high school graduation in the spring of 2028.

Through this dual-focused approach, students will gain access to direct trade council curriculum, advanced safety standards, and hands-on skill building. This strategic collaboration bridges the gap between high school classrooms and commercial job sites, providing students with a direct pipeline into registered union apprenticeships and high-paying jobs upon graduation.

Parents and students interested in learning more about enrollment in the Carpentry CTE path can contact Ali at JMHS. Additional information about the pre-apprenticeship can be found at https://tradesfutures.org/about/apprenticeship-readiness-program/.