LORDSTOWN — Students in the carpentry preapprenticeship program at Lordstown schools say they have gained skills that will help prepare them for real-world jobs.

The students completed their first year of the program last week with an open house held to showcase what they have learned and done.

The Trumbull County Educational Service Center’s two-year pre-apprenticeship carpentry program started last summer and will continue again this year with the juniors entering their senior year and new students starting their first year.

James Rook, supervisor of curriculum and instruction at TCESC, said the first year “has gone tremendously well.”

“We have a fantastic group of students who worked hard and applied themselves. The program has gone better than I could have ever imagined for its first year,” Rook said, noting the program received support from participating school districts.

Rook said the program is “hands-on project based learning” precarpentry training following the curriculum of the United Brotherhood of Carpentry.

He said the program focuses on employability skills, carpentry trade projects and hands-on skills.

The first year included 17 students who are all returning next school year for their second year in the program. New students have applied for the junior year.

Niles McKinley High School Principal Steve Rovnak said eight students from Niles were enrolled in the program for the first year.

The students arrive at Lordstown at 12:30 p.m. from their home school.

Owen Dilley of Niles, who will be a senior in the program, said he liked the hands-on work aspect of the program.

“I liked being able to work with my hands as compared to sitting at a desk with books. This is much more my style of learning,” Dilley said.

He said he plans to return next year when the class for seniors will be in the morning.

“I want to get into carpentry. I am glad I took the chance to be part of this program,” he said, noting there were many Niles students in the class.

Tim Onder, instructor of the program, said next year will be two classes, with one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

“After completing this program they will be able to go into the carpenter’s union as an apprentice. Each student has their own work station with circular saws, hammers and other hand tools. We do all the work on the tables here,” Onder said.

The students completed various projects their first year, including a musical instrument rack for the Lordstown Elementary School band class.

The students presented four racks to band teacher Frank Stout. The four racks, once hung, will hold up to 40 instruments and will help save space in the band room.

Onder said the instrument rack is one of the five projects the students have completed in their short time. They now are working on birdhouses that will be donated to environmental programs.

Charles Faler of LaBrae, who will be a senior in the fall, said he was recommended by his guidance counselor to be part of the new program.

“I feel I have learned more on responsibility and working with other students, better communicating and being part of a team,” Faler said.

Giovanny Pastrana of Niles, who will be a senior, said he also was recommended by his guidance counselor for the program.

He said learning to use various saws and other hand tools will help prepare him for a career in carpentry.

“I hope that to be able work on building different things,” Pastrana said.

Tracy Lastic, guidance counselor at Niles McKinley, said after a presentation was done at the school in 2022, a group of then sophomores expressed interest in joining the program.

“There was a group of students who were interested. A few said they wanted to be part and then they told some friends who also were interested. They wanted to give it a try and liked it and have done well,” she said.