Students at Barrett High School will soon get the chance to learn about building ships and prepare for a possible career in the industry as part of a technology grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training is focused on safety and is the first step toward working in the shipbuilding industry. The class a Barrett High is a partnership between San Diego City College and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). With the OSHA training, Barrett High students have a better chance of being hired at one of the more than 150 businesses in the San Diego shipbuilding industry. 

“The shipbuilding industry is always looking for qualified people,” said Ed Rulenz, a resource teacher with SDCOE who is helping to coordinate the classes.

Camp Barrett is a residential camp in Alpine for males ages 16 to 19 who have committed serious criminal offenses. It’s run by the County of San Diego Probation Department. The high school at the camp is part of SDCOE’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools.

The shipbuilding class is part of a larger effort to help JCCS students find jobs in industries related to technology and green energy. Through the federal grant, 75 students in three different detention facilities will get valuable career training.

Over the last 20 years, thousands of students have gotten employment opportunities at a wide variety of businesses as part of the JCCS Work Readiness program, which Rulenz started in 1994.

In addition to helping students find jobs, the program also helps them get back into school and find appropriate housing. The program includes career centers in San Diego and East County, resource fairs, field trips, occupational training, and driver education.

The JCCS Work Readiness program has been supported through a variety of grants and partnerships. Grant money from the San Diego Workforce Partnership covers the paid internships. Money from the Office of Juvenile Justice pays for re-entry services and to help students pursue high-tech careers.

The students in the program usually get about 100 hours of work over the course of a couple of months as part of their internships. They get paid and receive high school credit as well.