High School Students Attain OSHA Certification through ECC Class

North Edgecombe High School students enrolled in an Edgecombe Community College electrical class scored 100 percent on OSHA-10 certification. From left are students Gregory Tillery, David Raya, Devonte Barnes, Montarius Johnson, Dar’keithein Lancaster, Dineceshia Thomas, Shykayla McKinney, Lakya Johnson, and instructor Doug Parrish, who serves as department chair of Industrial and Technical Trades at ECC.

North Edgecombe High School students enrolled in an Edgecombe Community College electrical class have scored a 100 percent pass rate on OSHA-10 certification.

The class is taught at North Edgecombe by Doug Parrish, department chair of Industrial and Technical Trades at ECC.

OSHA-10 certification is a nationally recognized training program that promotes workplace safety.

“This is the largest high school class I’ve taught that scored 100 percent,” Parrish says. “Most industries expect job applicants to have a minimum of OSHA-10, so these students already are a step ahead.”

Eight students are enrolled in the class, which is part of the Electrical Systems Technology – Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Certificate offered at North Edgecombe. The four-course certificate is taught over two semesters, and the certificate can be applied toward the ECC diploma program in Electrical Systems Technology.

In the fall, students take DC/AC Electricity and Industrial Safety, and spring courses are Electrical Computations and Motors & Controls. Parrish teaches all of the classes.

“Working with this group of high school students is like teaching an honors class,” Parrish says. “They are bright, motivated, and engaged. It’s been a total pleasure to see all they have accomplished.”

After he graduates from North Edgecombe, student Montarius Johnson plans to enroll at ECC to study manufacturing and then transfer to a four-year school to pursue an engineering degree.

Student Dar’keithein Lancaster also plans to study manufacturing at ECC and then transfer to a four-year school. “I hope to get a good job at an industry like Cummins,” he says. “Mr P. has helped me a lot.”