Mechatronics student Mark Ault has turned his training at North Montco Technical Career Center into a major career milestone, accepting a Production Test Technician position with CAES Honeywell while still enrolled in NMTCC’s Cooperative Education program.

Representatives from CAES Honeywell visited NMTCC to present the offer and host a celebratory “signing day,” marking a proud moment for Ault and the school. Ault is the first person under 18 the company has ever hired.

Ault’s journey began when a CAES Honeywell team member toured NMTCC and the mechatronics classroom. Ault later impressed additional representatives at a career fair with his strong interest and understanding of the material taught in his mechatronics class.

Industry Partners Gain Prepared, Motivated Young Talent

Ed Trbuza, NMTCC’s Co-Op Coordinator, helps businesses understand the advantages of hiring young, well-prepared technical students.

“Co-op gives students a real feel for what it means to work in a professional environment,” he said. “These experiences help students mature beyond their peers and make clear connections between what they are learning now and how it applies to their future careers.”

Students must be enrolled in a certified Career and Technical Education program to participate in most work-based opportunities. Occasionally, the experience may help a student discover that another position — or even another career field — may be a better fit, which Trbuza describes as a valuable and healthy part of the learning process.

Currently, 86 students are employed across NMTCC’s Program for Youth Advancement through Applied Practice (PYAAP) and co-op placements, with nine additional students completing other internships. These numbers grow each month as more businesses recognize the value of partnering with North Montco.

How the North Montco Educational Foundation Strengthens These Pathways

NMTCC’s Educational Foundation plays a vital role in expanding access to these transformative opportunities. Through generous support from parents, alumni, and local partners, the foundation helps:

• fund equipment and technology upgrades
• provide student scholarships and tools for work
• support industry certifications
• enhance career-readiness experiences

These investments ensure that students enter the workforce prepared, confident, and competitive — benefiting both these young professionals and the businesses that hire them.

Partner with NMTCC

If you are a parent eager to support your student’s career path, or a business interested in hosting a talented, motivated young worker, please connect with North Montco Technical Career Center.

To learn more, contact Ed Trbuza at [email protected] or Denise Collins at [email protected].