The History of the New England Laborers’ Construction
Career Academy
Armand E. Sabitoni,
General Secretary-Treasurer
Laborers’ International Union of North
America
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Two leaders within their
respective industry shared one common vision: create a
unique school whereby the academic and technological
needs of students who are specifically interested in the
field of construction are educated. Using heavy and
highway construction as the foundation of a
problem-based learning curriculum,
the city of
Cranston welcomed its third public high school, the New
England Laborers’ Construction Career Academy in 2002.
Armand E. Sabitoni, a
second-generation Laborer, worked his way from general
construction laborer to one of the highest offices of
the Laborers' International Union of North America.
Sabitoni has led the
union's effort to strengthen Laborers’ training
programs, known by many as among the best adult
education programs in North America. Under his
leadership, the union is instituting apprenticeship and
training programs designed to advance Laborers' careers
and meet the needs of the industry.
Peter Nero,
Superintendent Cranston Public Schools
With Ciarlo’s expertise in child-centered education and
Sabitoni’s expertise in labor training, together they
are helping innovate the union's first construction charter school
for high school students. The school’s mission is to
give these students a solid high school education with
the opportunity to gain hours in an approved
apprenticeship pathway. Thus, the curriculum teaches
students about the construction industry and opens the
door to job opportunities upon graduation. The Academy
is the first and only high school in the United States
and Canada that provides this opportunity to students
interested in the field of construction. Moreover,
making the transition from school to work is often a
difficult road for many high school graduates. Thus in
2004, the World of Work Exploration pathway was
incorporated into the curriculum. World of Work is a
comprehensive career exploration course offered to all
students. Key components students learn are: the
development of a career plan, job
attainment skills, job retention skills and development
of life skills. Thereafter, students refine those skills
by gaining part-time employment under the guidance and
mentorship of the World of Work Coordinator. By
imparting the importance of lifelong learning, the
curriculum of education and training imbedded in the
World of Work Exploration pathway is essential in all
phases of a career so to keep up with new technology,
materials, and techniques.
Since The
Academy’s inception, accolades from Rhode Island heavy
and highway construction companies and private
businesses have been received regarding the success of
the school. A most recent
statement from the United States Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration in its current
newsletter is one of the best descriptions of the
Academy’s progress. “In this day and age, when so many
people have good reason to complain about the generation
of students graduating high school who can’t count back
change, can’t fathom how to control their spending and
have no work ethic, The New England Laborers’/Cranston
Public Schools Construction Career Academy is working
hard to graduate a whole new type of senior: one who is
head and shoulders above the competition when it comes
to being out in the workforce.”
Charting our
course today is Michael A. Traficante, Chairperson of
the Board of Directors and Dr. Michael J. Silvia,
Executive Director. Mr. Traficante brings 20 years as an
educator, 13 years as Mayor of the City of Cranston,
five years on the Cranston School Committee - three
years serving as Chairperson, and seven years as
Chairman of the NEL/CPS Board of Directors.
Known as Dr.
Mike to his students, Dr. Silvia has served as Assistant
Director and is currently Executive Director since the
school’s inception in 2002. He previously held positions
in the Cranston school district as Assistant to the
Principal of Gladstone Elementary School, School Social
Worker at Western Hills Middle School and other schools
throughout the district and served as Violence
Prevention Facilitator for the entire Cranston school
district. He received the prestigious “School Social
Worker of the Year” award for the state of Rhode Island
in 2002. He also was
an Executive Director for a private, non-profit
employment and training agency as well as an Executive
Director of a multi-service center in the city of
Providence. As a licensed psychotherapist, he also
operates a private practice for individual and group
psychotherapy.
With
excerpts from:
www.liuna.org
www.projo.com/ri/cranston
www.lecet.org
History
