RACINE, Wis. — A unique apprenticeship program gives high school students in the Racine Unified School District the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to the construction of new school buildings.

The program, which was made possible by a referendum passed in 2020, allows students to work alongside professional construction crews on projects funded by the district.

Israel Hernandez is a senior at Park High School. Hernandez is spending his summer on the job site at Jerstad Agerholm Middle School.

“I’ve always been invested in trades, and I’ve always been more of a manual labor than sitting down,” said Hernandez. “I’ve learned really good communication skills. I’ve learned a lot of things that I know are going to help me outside of work, you know? Real life skills.”

Hernandez credits Brian McGraw for his mentorship and support. McGraw is a foreman for VJS Construction.

“Every time I mess up, once or twice, you know, he always assures me that I am going to make mistakes,” said Hernandez. “Honestly, if it wasn’t for that, I probably would have lost motivation.”

McGraw said he has been impressed with Hernandez’s progress.

“He was a kid starting right out of high school, so he had the passion to work right away, so to build off of that was great,” said McGraw. “He’s learned a lot so far and he’s progressed great. Everything I asked him to do, he’s done.”

The school district provides the opportunity to students while also getting millions of dollars’ worth of improvements done on campuses across the district.

“It’s cool because I’m still learning as I go,” said Hernandez. “I know this is where I want to be at.”