Orlando Perez Rivera – Concrete Co-Op

In the fall semester of the 2016-2017 school year, Orlando was employed by JB Zimmerman’s in New Holland where he did odd jobs and assisted customers.  Although he enjoyed this job, he was ready to get a head start on a job that could become a career.  With that in mind, he applied, interviewed and was hired by High Concrete in Denver, PA.  Orlando started out at High by making wooden frames which he quickly learned takes much technical skill.  Orlando’s supervisor frequently praised Orlando for his work habits, technical abilities, and relationships with the other employees.  Recently, Orlando was moved to a new department where he bends and ties rebar that will be used in reinforcing concrete structures.  Moving departments and learning new skills at High Concrete is quite common.  Their culture and philosophy allow each employee to try out many jobs before choosing the department where the employee feel most passionate.  Orlando will have the opportunity to move a few more times before he settles in one particular area.

When Orlando graduates he will start working for High as a full-time employee with benefits and vacation time.  Following graduation, Orlando will have the opportunity to pursue a short-term or degree based training program through Thaddeus Stevens, HACC or the CTC in a high priority career that would be completely funded by CareerLink Lancaster because he earned the National Readiness Certificate while in the Pathways2Success Cooperative Education program.  This school program allows students just like Orlando to explore an industry while still in high school.