Pueblo's manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries need skilled workers.

And to help provide them, Pueblo County High School needs the manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries.

This hub of this mutually beneficial partnership will be The Academy of Manufacturing, Agriculture and Construction, introduced Friday morning to a room full of industry professionals as well as community and education leaders converged at Pueblo County High School.

Representing Pueblo County School District 70 were Superintendent Ed Smith, Assistant Superintendent Ginger Andenucio, County Principal Brian Dilka and a host of board members, educators and students.

Envisioned as a school-to-work program providing students with pathways into high-demand careers, AMAC was created to help fill a growing need for skilled employees, for both existing companies and those looking to relocate to Pueblo.

Per its motto, "Success in the Working World Through Community Partnerships," AMAC's educational prosperity will reflect the active participation of partnering companies and professionals through classroom visits, mentoring, field trips, the sharing of technical expertise, job shadowing, and donations both of the financial and in-kind variety.

To date, partnerships with Pueblo Economic Development Corp., Pueblo Community College and the R.M. Watts Foundation, which granted the academy $43,000, have been formed.

Slated to open in the fall, AMAC also will help address the continued growth at Pueblo County High School, which has added 300 students over the past four years and is on its way to a total student body count of 1,100.

The new offering will complement two academies currently serving County students — The School of Engineering and Biomedical Science and The Arts Academy — as well the Parkview Medical Center-hosted School to Employment Program, which gives young men and women real-life exposure to, and employment opportunities in, the health care industry.

It is SEBS and STEP that are serving as models for the new academy. By augmenting traditional classroom instruction with hands-on, real life experience — skills that will enable students to earn a living once a high school diploma is in hand — AMAC, like County's existing academies, will bring the educational experience to vibrant, practical life.

"That's what this academy is all about: providing the workforce we so desperately need," said John Musso, Pueblo County's Career and Technical Education coordinator. "There are already a couple of companies that want to hire our kids, and that's what we want."

To the industry leaders in attendance, representing EVRAZ, Vestas and various construction, contracting and fabrication companies, Musso added, "We want your involvement. You have to tell us what to teach so the product at the end of the line is what you need."

On the manufacturing side, the trade will initially be taught through woodwork, progressing into metals and fabrication. Agricultural science will focus on power and mechanics, animal and plant science, and natural resources, with construction covering general skills, specific trade areas, management and business skills.

Rex Harriman will serve as instructor for the manufacturing/construction arenas, with the curriculum to be offered in a dedicated manufacturing and construction lab modeled after professional facilities.

The agricultural science instructor is Troy Mayfield.

"This won't work without the business community," said Harriman. "There has to be a community buy-in." To the partners and future partners in attendance, he added, "You're investing in your employees, the community, the students."

Jeff Shaw, PEDCO's president and chief executive officer, said a plentiful, skilled employee pool is essential to continued economic growth.

"The workforce has been identified as one of the biggest issues," Shaw said. "Any site selector will tell you that when they're looking at the community, you can give the best incentive package, the best utilities, the best infrastructure. But if you don't have the workforce, it's not going to happen."

Added Patty Erjavec, Pueblo Community College's president, "Public-private partnerships are the key. It's the 'secret sauce' to making this happen."

For the Pueblo County Hornets in attendance, especially those who want to enter the workforce upon graduation, Friday's announcement was welcomed with open arms.

"Today is a really great day for County," offered Peyton Trujillo, a sophomore. "We got to see the new programs and how it's going to work out. My goal is to get a job right out of high school, hopefully in manufacturing.

"That's what I've always wanted to do and that's what my family has always told me to do."

Added Anthony Alfonso, also a sophomore, "I think the academy will be a very helpful and beneficial addition to County. I'd like to go straight to work after high school too, most likely in welding and fabrication. And this will open a lot of opportunities for us."

Those wishing to become partners with the academy are encouraged to contact Andenucio at 295-6509 or gandenucio@district70.org.

jpompia@chieftain.comn

Twitter: @Jpompia