Springfield district expands youth apprenticeships with Paul Mueller partnership

Springfield Public Schools announced Feb. 24 that its registered youth apprenticeship program has earned certification from the U.S. Department of Labor for a heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning (HVAC) pathway and that the district will place two students with its HVAC team as apprentices. The district also introduced a proposed welding and grinding pathway in partnership with Paul Mueller Company.

Paul Mueller Company representatives described the new pathway as a collaboration with the district and the Missouri Department of Labor that would serve up to five additional students. "By collaborating with Missouri's largest public school system, we are providing students the opportunity to earn up to $25 per hour while gaining hands on industry experience and earning valuable education credits," said Brandon Adamic, director of sales and marketing for Paul Mueller Company.

District staff framed the apprenticeships as part of career and technical education efforts to connect classroom learning with workforce needs. Board members and staff noted the program's potential to provide students technical and professional skills and early access to high‑demand manufacturing careers.

The district said it would continue the certification process with the Department of Labor for the proposed welding pathway and will publish a news release and post details to the district website the following morning. No formal vote was required for the announcement; board members received the presentation and recognition of the program's certification.

The superintendent and district staff were asked to provide additional implementation details, including how students will be selected for paid placements and any supporting agreements with employers. The district said it expects to name two HVAC apprentices to work at the general services center and to continue developing employer partnerships for future cohort placements.