Trade Skills Program (TSP)

The Trade Skills Program (TSP) is an extracurricular program exclusively for students enrolled at Legacy Haven Academy in Mohave County, Arizona. The TSP integrates hands-on training in skilled labor trades with Legacy Haven Academy’s rigorous academic curriculum, preparing students for careers in high-demand trades while adhering to federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Arizona Revised Statutes (Title 23, Chapter 2), Arizona Industrial Commission (AIC), Arizona Department of Education (ADE), and Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) regulations. The program collaborates with local partners, including Western Arizona Vocational Education (WAVE) Joint Technical Education District (JTED), Mohave Community College (MCC), ARIZONA@WORK (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - WIOA), and registered apprenticeship sponsors, to ensure compliance and access to resources.

Key Compliance Principles:

  • Ages 10-13: No employment; restricted to non-hazardous, unpaid educational activities (e.g., simulations, no power tools or heights).
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to non-hazardous paid or unpaid work experiences; maximum 3 hours/day, 18 hours/week during school periods (6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.), 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week during non-school periods (6 a.m.-11 p.m.); no hazardous tasks (e.g., power-driven machinery, roofing, heights over 5 feet).
  • Ages 16-18: Eligible for registered apprenticeships in hazardous occupations under DES supervision, requiring 2,000+ hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 144+ hours of related technical instruction (RTI) annually; driving limited to <2 hours/day or 25% of workday.
  • Program Structure: Extracurricular, with after-school, evening, and weekend sessions to complement Legacy Haven Academy’s academic schedule. No interference with school hours for ages 10-15; flexible for 16-18 apprenticeships.
  • Enrollment: Restricted to students of Legacy Haven Academy, with applications processed through the academy’s administration. Consent is managed by Legacy Haven Academy’s designated guardians or legal representatives in lieu of parental consent, per Arizona regulations.
  • Duration: 8 years (adaptable for students joining later), culminating in apprenticeship completion and industry certification.
  • Assessment: Annual evaluations via portfolios, skill demonstrations, and ADE-aligned Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.
  • Funding/Support: Tuition-free through WAVE JTED partnerships; WIOA stipends for eligible students; contributions from local sponsors (e.g., Northern Arizona Construction Association - NACA).

Program Phases and Curriculum

Phase 1: Career Exploration (Ages 10-13)

Objective: Introduce students to skilled trades through safe, non-employment activities to spark interest and build foundational knowledge, complementing Legacy Haven Academy’s academic studies.

  • Duration: 3-4 years.
  • Delivery: Extracurricular workshops (evenings/weekends) at Legacy Haven Academy facilities or local community centers, in partnership with Junior Achievement Inspire and Mohave County trade professionals. Uses virtual tools and simulations to ensure no hazardous exposure.
  • Core Components:
    • Career Awareness (40 hours/year): Interactive sessions on trade categories (e.g., Construction: carpentry; Mechanical: welding) using videos, guest speakers from local industries, and virtual reality tools (e.g., VR plumbing design).
    • Basic Skills (30 hours/year): Non-hands-on training in trade-related math (e.g., geometry for masonry), safety protocols, and tool identification. Activities include software-based design (e.g., CAD for HVAC) and blueprint reading.
    • Career Counseling: By age 13, students complete a trade interest assessment to select 2-3 preferred trades, guided by Legacy Haven Academy’s counselors and ARIZONA@WORK advisors.
  • Compliance: No paid work or hazardous activities per FLSA (no employment under 14). Sessions scheduled outside academic hours to prioritize Legacy Haven Academy’s rigorous curriculum.
  • Outcomes: Certificate of Exploration Completion; Individual Learning Plan (ILP) for Phase 2.

Phase 2: Skill Development (Ages 14-15)

Objective: Provide supervised, non-hazardous hands-on training and limited work experiences to develop foundational trade skills, integrated with Legacy Haven Academy’s academic schedule.

  • Duration: 2 years.
  • Delivery: After-school/weekend sessions at WAVE JTED facilities, MCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, or local employer sites (e.g., Air Control for HVAC, Mohave Electric for Lineworker). WIOA Youth Program supports unpaid internships or limited paid work for eligible students.
  • Core Components:
    • Classroom Instruction (60 hours/year): CTE-aligned courses on trade theory (e.g., electrical circuits for Electrician; material properties for Welding) delivered at Legacy Haven Academy or MCC.
    • Hands-On Training (50 hours/year): Supervised labs in non-hazardous tasks (e.g., painting without ladders for Construction, tool maintenance for Automotive Technician, basic wiring for Electronics without live circuits).
    • Work Experience (up to 18 hours/week, school periods): Unpaid shadowing or paid non-hazardous roles (e.g., Landscaping Technician, Locksmith assistant) through WIOA or local businesses.
    • Certifications: OSHA 10-Hour General Industry; entry-level trade credentials (e.g., NCCER Core Curriculum).
  • Compliance: Adheres to FLSA/AIC restrictions: No hazardous occupations (e.g., no welding, roofing, or power-driven machinery); work hours limited to 3 hours/day, 18 hours/week during school, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week non-school; student-learner agreements for paid work, with consent from Legacy Haven Academy’s designated guardians.
  • Outcomes: Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate; refined trade selection; CTE credits toward Legacy Haven Academy’s graduation requirements.

Phase 3: Apprenticeship and Mastery (Ages 16-18)

Objective: Enroll students in registered apprenticeships to complete OJT and RTI, achieving journeyman status or equivalent certification while balancing Legacy Haven Academy’s academics or post-graduation plans.

  • Duration: 2-3 years (4,000-8,000 total OJT hours, depending on trade).
  • Delivery: Registered apprenticeships through DES sponsors (e.g., NACA for Construction Trades, Arizona Pipe Trades JAC for Plumbing, Mohave Electric Cooperative for Lineworker). RTI via MCC dual enrollment (tuition-free for high schoolers) or online platforms. WIOA supports eligible students with stipends.
  • Core Components:
    • On-the-Job Training (2,000+ hours/year): Paid, supervised work in chosen trade (e.g., framing for Carpenter, wiring for Electrician, engine repair for Diesel Mechanic) under journeyman mentors.
    • Related Technical Instruction (144+ hours/year): Advanced coursework at MCC or online (e.g., NEC codes for Electricians, hydraulic systems for Pipefitters).
    • Leadership Development: Participation in SkillsUSA or other CTE student organizations to build teamwork and competition skills.
    • Certifications: Trade-specific credentials (e.g., AWS for Welders, EPA 608 for HVAC); journeyman license eligibility upon completion.
  • Compliance: Minimum age 16 for apprenticeships; hazardous occupation exemptions via DES registration and written agreements, with consent from Legacy Haven Academy’s designated guardians; driving restrictions enforced.
  • Outcomes: DES Apprenticeship Completion Certificate; industry credentials; high school diploma or GED; pathway to full-time employment (average starting salary $50,000+).

Available Programs

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Empowering Every Student’s Journey

Evaluation and Support Services

Monitoring

Quarterly skill assessments (portfolios, practical exams) by Legacy Haven Academy’s coordinators, aligned with ADE CTE standards.

Support

Mentorship by trade professionals; WIOA-funded transportation, tools, or stipends for eligible students; ADA-compliant accommodations.

Exit Pathways

Graduates earn credits toward associate degrees; job placement assistance and the Academy’s career services.