MC3 Program Visits Central Consolidated High Schools to Promote Union Trades Careers

Graduating seniors at four Central Consolidated School District high schools will have a chance Wednesday to hear directly from representatives of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum program, which offers a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship pathway into union building trades careers without requiring a four-year degree.

MC3 representatives are scheduled to deliver one-hour presentations at Newcomb High, Shiprock High, Kirtland Central High, and Career Prep on March 25, covering the MC3 application process and the long-term financial benefits of entering the skilled trades. The presentations are organized across three physical campuses: Kirtland Central High School at Community Park, and Shiprock High School and Career Prep High School together at the Performing Arts Center Back Parking Lot. The exact start times for Shiprock and Career Prep were not confirmed in available press materials, and Newcomb's scheduled time was similarly not disclosed. The CCSD press release lists the Kirtland Central session at Community Park beginning at 8:45 a.m., though an event listing platform shows multiple Kirtland sessions at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Seniors and families should confirm times directly with CCSD before Wednesday.

"We want every graduating senior in Central Consolidated to know that there is a high-value career pathway available to them right here in our community," said Roxanne Lee, CCSD instructional coordinator. "The MC3 program connects our students directly to stable, well-paying careers in the building trades, no four-year degree required."

Developed by North America's Building Trades Unions, MC3 prepares high school graduates to enter union apprenticeships in fields including pipefitting, welding, electrical work, and mechanical technology. Students who complete the program earn OSHA 10, CPR, and First Aid certifications, and the curriculum covers blueprint reading, construction math, and tool safety.

Unlike a traditional college track, students entering apprenticeships through the MC3 path receive competitive wages, employer-provided health insurance, and pension benefits from their first day of work. Local students who proceed through the program will have access to training at the Building and Workforce Training Center at the Bond Wilson Tech Center beginning with the Summer 2026 session.