Although he only graduated from Carbon Career & Technical Institute less than a year ago, Chris Phillips is on his way to a long and fruitful career, and he thanks his alma mater for getting him started.

Phillips attended CCTI’s Joint Operating Committee on Thursday to provide a glimpse of his life and career trajectory in the field of electrical work.

“I graduated here in 2017, and I am now working as an apprentice for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and I really couldn’t have gotten there without going to this school,” Phillips said. “I really have to thank the entire staff, the principal, the technical teachers and Mr. (Kevin) Kuehner, who helped me get to SkillsUSA as a state competitor.”

In his apprenticeship, Phillips undergoes a five-year program that consists of a two-hour class twice a week, in addition to working a minimum of 40 hours per week.

“We’re learning everything from the basics that I learned here, to industrial facilities and motor controls, which I also learned a little bit about here, too,” he said.

Of the 26 apprentice members, Phillips was able to obtain the best score on his exams, involving math, English and technical questions, last year.

Phillips’ speech to the Joint Operating Committee is part of an effort to bring CCTI graduates to provide an update on their lives after they leave the school.

English teacher Michael Wildoner pioneered the idea to let the committee know how far students have gone thanks to an education at CCTI.

“We have seen this on the news, that there’s been an upswing in industry over the last three or four years in the United States. Unfortunately, there is a lack of skilled laborers in the United States. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs that are unfilled. It makes me proud to be part of a school that helps educate our young men and women that can fill these positions, not only here in this county or throughout Pennsylvania, but throughout the United States,” Wildoner said.