Hayden Abels, a Celina High School senior, defies the stereotype and exemplifies the purpose of Career-Based Intervention (CBI). Hayden states openly that he disliked school prior to enrolling in his CBI class. But a combination of his own initiative and assistance from others, including his CBI teacher and industry partners, have propelled him to the CBI mission of overcoming “barriers to achieving academic and career success.”
In short, Hayden Abels, a CBI student in the Tri Star Career Compact, is an in-demand employee. Hayden was working with a local farmer and receiving accolades. He liked the work, but was not sure he wanted a future of working 60-hour weeks. Now, he works at Nidec Minster Corporation (formerly The Minster Machine Company). With some nudging from CBI teacher, Don Berry, Nidec Minster Corporation placed Hayden as an apprentice with an annual starting salary of $29,000. He has the potential of earning significantly more as he progresses through his training as a machine tool builder apprentice
“The type of student we have in CBI is evolving,” Berry said. “Many of my current students are planning to continue their education beyond the high school level. We are very excited here at Tri Star because this placement proves that what we do is working.”
Brian Styer, Nidec Minster’s employee relations manager, said his company could use eight-10 employees like Hayden, who have what it takes to be successful. “Some of these traits that Hayden has are a great attitude, great work ethic, the right aptitude and a willingness to continue education through Minster’s apprentice program,” he said. “Career-tech students have a distinct advantage in these areas.”
Berry is eager to fulfill the industry need.
“Hayden is not in a workforce program, but he has a skill set industry wants and needs – hard working, people skills and recognizes the value of a drug-free lifestyle,” said Buschur, Tri Star’s career-tech director. “We realize that not all CBI kids can do what Hayden does, but as career-tech educators, we can and should keep looking for those pockets of students to plug into industry gaps.”
