In preparation of CCDI student Malik Sediqzad’s first semester at Harvard, CCDI organized an immersive week to help get him ready for the school year. Malik spent time with the Lamar Johnson Collaborative team learning about architecture design and VDC software, and also received some college insight from one of LJC’s Harvard alum. Malik also spent time with the Clayco team touring local jobsites. At the end of the week, Malik was presented with a laptop to help get his freshman year off to a great start! Good luck Malik!

Incoming CCDI and North Tech Senior, Brandin Rayford, interviewed and was selected as a summer intern at Villa Lighting. He is interested in pursuing a career in the trades post-graduation. This internship is helping Brandin to build his resume and gain experience in the warehouse learning about material logistics and usages. CCDI is very thankful for Matt Villa, EVP and the team for supporting our program by hiring CCDI interns for the past 5 summers

The team at PayneCrest Electric recently checked in to share an update on 2019 CCDI Alum & Mccluer High School graduate, DeMarco Poole, who will be celebrating his 1 yr anniversary this month as an apprentice in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1.

DeMarco joined CCDI during his junior year and was matched with fellow McCluer alum, Mr. David Payne, CEO of PayneCrest Electric, to be his mentor. DeMarco said, “I am very thankful for the time spent with David working in the warehouse and visiting projects. The knowledge I gained better prepared me for working out in the field as a pre-apprentice.”

DeMarco is currently working at the new McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. headquarters in Des Peres where his General Foreman, Bobby Warren requested him. Bobby said, “DeMarco was only 18 when he started working with us out in the field and his punctuality and willingness to learn was very impressive”.

DeMarco has BIG plans for the future which include becoming a journeyman wireman and investing in himself to better his life.

Thank you, Mr. Payne and the PayneCrest team, for believing in the CCDI program and giving DeMarco this opportunity and lasting mentorship!

CCDI STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Meet Mike Atkinson, 2018 CCDI graduate and member of our North Technical & CCDI Alumni Network. Mike has been working hard as an apprentice floor layer for Flooring Systems Inc. for the past two years. He is an active alum who gives back to the program by participating in Saturday Academy’s to teach high school students about what it takes to be successful in the floor laying industry.

CCDI recently received an email from Mr. Ron Komlos who shared an update from Mike’s supervisor who has been very impressed with his work ethic and wanted to reward Mike’s hard work with tool upgrades. We are always thrilled to hear positive news and would like to commend Mike for proudly representing our program. Keep up the excellent work!

We would like to thank the entire team at Flooring Systems Inc. for being a big supporter of the CCDI program. Since 2015, Flooring Systems has hired 1-2 of our graduates each year and not only retained our students, but have mentored and supported their growth. On top of that, they are always willing to donate materials to the high schools we work with, volunteer their time for hands-on demonstrations and guest speak about the opportunities in our industry.

Thank you for going above and beyond! We are so thankful for your partnership.