Apprentice graduate Paul Self (left) shakes hands with Councilman Daniel Davis, commencement speaker. Self’s parents, Lake and Councilwoman Lynette Self, and Jonny Moore of Moore Electrical Contractors, the graduate’s employer, were on hand for the ceremon

Thirty-seven apprentices graduated in the 2006 Northeast Florida Builders Association apprentice class. The graduation ceremony was May 4 at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus. A reception followed the ceremony.

City of Jacksonville Councilman Daniel Davis was the commencement speaker, and NEFBA President Jerry Linder, president of The Vintage Group, also addressed the students.

Outstanding apprentice graduates were recognized in each of the trades:

Carpentry, Patrick S. Moltmaker, Auld & White Constructors;

Electrical, Daniel W. MacGregor Jr., W.W. Gay Fire Protection;

Heating, Air Condition and Refrigeration, Phillip G. Tanner, Thermodyne Services; and,

Plumbing, Chris A. Taylor of Steeg Plumbing.

The Haskell Company, Auld & White Constructors, Klein Tool Company and C.W. Wood Plumbing Company provided gifts for the outstanding graduates.

NEFBA offers training in four trades, electrical, carpentry, plumbing and heating and air-conditioning, in conjunction with FCCJ and the St. Johns River Community College.

NEFBA secures paid employment for students accepted into the four-year programs, and students attend evening classes to complete their courses of study. There is no fee to qualified students.

The program accepts new applicants two times each year – March and June. Applications will be accepted every Monday in June. For information about qualifications and opportunities in the NEFBA apprentice program, contact Laura Laseman, NEFBA training director at (904) 725-4355.

Apprentice training has been a major focus of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for 33 years. As of the May 2006 graduation, 1,392 apprentices will have been trained in NEFBA’s four-year programs.