Built to Last

Read about the skilled trades classes held at St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School, St. Louis, MO, which offer students new opportunities to explore diverse career paths. Read the entire article featured in the Alive magazine Spring 2025 issue.

St. Mary’s pre-apprentice program began in 2023 and is offered as an elective in the Fall semester. The program has been funded through 2026-27 by the Missouri Works Initiative of the Missouri AFL-CIO, headed by an alumnus of St. Mary’s, Jake Hummel.

Hummel collaborated with St. Mary’s school president, Mike England, to develop this program, which encompasses a range of skilled trades, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and other related skills. The school has partnered with Ranken Technical College, a trade-focused institution based in St. Louis, which allows St. Mary’s students to participate in dual enrollment. With this program, St. Mary’s South Side aims to provide students with new opportunities to explore diverse career paths.