Pottstown High School engineering students, Sam Bainbridge and Justin Castillo are enjoying the best of two worlds. As part of the school's Work Based Learning Program, they are gaining valuable real-life work experience, rebuilding equipment at R&M Equipment Company https://ramequipment.com/  while also being paid for their work. The co-op opportunity can lead to full-time employment after graduation. It is a part of the school's Career Technical Education Department. The experience "caps off" the students' education in their CTE program. Students are able to put what they learned in their Engineering program to practical use while also learning important soft skills, business etiquette, and how the company operates.  A training plan is created to help the employer focus on the student's task list.  The employer grades the students on their knowledge and work ethic. They also receive a grade from their classroom teacher on academic work. These programs are essential to our community as local businesses and industry partners struggle to hire enough skilled tradespeople to fill positions being left vacant by aging workforce retirements. Please help share the good news of another reason to say Proud to be from Pottstown.