Shown is exemplary student Deven Fox under the guidance of instructor Chris Schreffler.

The Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC) has been a beacon of career and technical education for students of Columbiana County since its inception in 1977.

Four years ago, the pandemic forced a change in how we did things, and we were fortunate to have local newspapers willing to assist us in getting the word out to county students and families about our programs through a series of monthly articles.

While things have returned to normal, this new normal allowed the CCCTC to usher in some significant changes during the last four years.

The building has had major renovations to align the lab settings with the industries in the community that are being served and to provide the students with the 21st skills they need by learning with cutting-edge technology and equipment.

Along with renovations, a new program has been added and several new lab instructors have joined the staff. Friendly and familiar faces people have known for years have been replaced with new friendly faces due to staff members meeting the service year and age requirements for retirement. So, during the remainder of the school year, the changes that have occurred at the CCCTC will be highlighted to keep the community informed about the state of career and technical education in their county.

Current sophomore students who are interested in enrolling in a program for the 2025-26 school year are invited to do so by visiting the CCCTC’s webpage (https://www.ccctc.k12.oh.us)  and completing the enrollment application which is available now.  Any questions about the programs or the requirements for enrollment should be directed to Sue Allison, guidance administrator, at (330) 424-9561 ext. 118 or sue.allison@ccctc.k12.oh.us. 

The subject of the April spotlight is the Construction Technologies (CT) program. This program has gone through some changes over the years from the curriculum used to the types of projects completed. One of the changes was the hiring of a new instructor after the previous instructor accepted a job closer to his home.

Mr. Chris Schreffler came to the CCCTC after many successful years of working in industry. Teaching was a change for him, but it was one that he embraced.

Benefits of Being a Student in the Program

Students in the Construction Technology program at the CCCTC will graduate from the program having what they need to move directly into the field of construction. They learn a variety of skills that could lead to employment in many different facets of the field.

Throughout the course of the two-year program, students learn skills in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical. By learning a variety of skills used within the industry, it opens many doors for students.

Within the general category of construction jobs, all fields are in great need of skilled workers as the older generation is retiring. Students also have options once they have completed the program. One would be to choose to use the skills they have already gained by entering the workforce in an entry level position.

Another option is pursuing an apprenticeship where they work while still learning. The Carpenter’s Union is one that many of our students pursue, and the instructor has a strong working relationship with the Carpenter’s Union.

Finally, students can also choose to continue their education by seeking a college degree at an institute of higher learning where they could major in architecture or another construction related field.

Regardless of the path chosen, students can enter the program knowing they have options. In addition to learning the career-specific skills, students are also taught the soft skills such as team building and time management which are needed in order to succeed in adulthood and future employment.

Credentials and Articulation Agreements for the Program

Career-Technical Education not only prepares students for the workforce, but also allows them to start on their post-secondary path. Students who put effort into learning will leave the CCCTC with the credentials they need to successfully enter straight into the workforce.

All students enrolled in the CCCTC’s Construction Technology Program become certified in OSHA-10. Students also have the opportunity to earn the following Industry-recognized credentials: CITF Career Connections Certificates – Level 1, CITF Career Connections Certificates – Level 2, and CITF Career Connections Certificates- Level 3. With the successful completion of the two-year program, students can also earn an Ohio State Apprenticeship Council Pre-Apprenticeship which gives them a leg up in the industry.

Another benefit to students is that the Construction Technology Program currently has two articulation agreements.

The first is with Kent State University. Currently, students who submit an application to Kent State University within 15 months of high school graduation, successfully complete the CT program, provide a high school transcript, and maintain a 3.0 (“B” average) or higher in their career and technical program can get CTAG credit for the Construction Technology course at Kent State that would count toward a degree.

The second articulation agreement is with Cuyahoga Community College. Upon successful completion of the construction technology program at CCCTC, students will receive college credit for the following three courses at Cuyahoga Community College: Plan Reading, Construction Safety, and Construction Methods and Materials. CTAGs provide free direct college transcript credit for the associated equivalent college course at any in-state, public university upon matriculation.

Student Spotlight

An exemplary student for the CT program is Deven Fox. Deven is a senior from Lisbon David Anderson High School. Deven was chosen by his instructor for this honor for many reasons. He shows a strong work ethic each day in class and in the lab. He has shown growth in his skillset since joining the program. Deven shows leadership skills in the classroom and has committed to starting a four- year carpenter’s apprenticeship program after his high school graduation.

In addition, he is a strong academic student. He takes pride in his work regardless of whether it is in the classroom setting or the career tech setting.

Instructor Spotlight

Instructor Chris Schreffler began a career in construction just like the students he now teaches. In high school, he completed a two-year career tech program in the building trades.

Upon graduation from high school, he was accepted for and fulfilled a four-year apprenticeship with the Carpenter’s Union. Upon securing gainful employment, he spent the next twenty-one years employed as a carpenter for Hammond Construction.

During his employment at Hammond, he did both commercial and residential work. He has an impressive resume of work experience which includes taking part in the construction of seven different school districts that erected brand new buildings, including the Beaver Local K-12 campus. He also worked on four different hospital systems.

Lastly, he had the pleasure of working on many different building structures at Mount Union College. Mr. Schreffler decided to make the switch to being an educational instructor because he felt that he could make a difference in the lives of students and could share his extensive work experience and knowledge with them, providing them with skills they can use for the rest of their lives.

He also knows from first-hand experiences that within that construction trades all specialties including plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and bricklaying are seeking young people to join apprenticeships since this is such a high demand workforce.

CCCTC’s Construction Technology Program Benefits Local Industry

Since this is a career and technical field that has such a high demand for skilled workers, there are endless benefits to local industry by hiring students that successfully complete the two-year program at the CCCTC.

Business and industry will benefit from the skills the students learn in the program by being able to enter the workforce with knowledge and skills to work next to journeymen in the field.

These skills include: safety training, OSHA-10 certification, tool use and safety certifications, an understanding of measurement and layout, experience with how to work with others on the jobsite, time-management skills, experience using many different building materials, and blueprint reading.

Any student who is interested in enrolling in the Construction Technology Program as well as any other programs offered by the CCCTC should complete the online application at ccctc.k12.oh.us.

Do not delay in enrolling as many programs are reaching capacity. Any questions about the programs can be directed to Sue Allison at extension 118 (sue.allison@ccctc.k12.oh.us) or Michelle Fitzsimmons at extension 158 (michelle.fitzsimmons@ccctc.k12.oh.us) at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center.