Phoenixville - Andy Plum, a senior in the electrical occupations/telecommunications program at the Center for Arts & Technology Pickering Campus, is wired for success. A member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, Plum excels both in his academic and technical studies. He has proven himself in local, regional and state competitions and placed first in the state in the 2007 Pennsylvania Skills USA Competition in the residential wiring event.
In 2007, Andy spearheaded two large school projects, including planning, designing and installing eight new work stations in the electrical occupations lab and updating equipment and wiring in the program’s outside plant. This year, Andy is putting the finishing touches on a new motor control center.
In addition to his technical and leadership skills, Andy also interacts with the business community. As a member of the electrical occupations/telecommunications technical advisory committee, Andy networks with industry leaders from Verizon, Comcast and many other local contractors.
According to Andy his future plans are still undecided.
“Right now, I’m deciding whether to attend Kettering Technical College in Michigan and study engineering; or, taking a year off from school and hopefully getting a job as a technician at Verizon or Comcast,” said Andy. “That way I can go to college part-time and receive tuition reimbursement to help pay for my education.”
Thanks to his training at CAT Pickering, Andy shouldn’t have difficulty finding employment or succeeding academically at college. According to his program instructor, Mr. Drew Jacobs, students in his program practice taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is used by the military and is very similar to the tests used by Comcast, Verizon and PECO Energy to screen applicants.
Also, said Jacobs, Andy has taken full advantage of his career and technical education and is well prepared for life.
“Andy is in the upper echelon of students,” said Jacobs. “He is a mature, soft-spoken, highly competent student who rises to every technical challenge presented to him. He is a quiet leader and well-respected by peers and teachers alike.”
No matter what direction Andy chooses, he believes that his training at CAT Pickering will be valuable.
“It’s a great program,” said Andy. “It’s all hands-on. You get the theory plus the practical uses. I’ve learned great skills here that I’ll be able to use for the rest of my life.”
