Amity High School in Yamhill County, and Chemeketa Community College are fortunate to have an experienced teacher who has a passion for preparing students for future careers by exposing them to their options in the with the industry. Teacher John Sterns made connections with national builder Taylor Morrison . The company has hosted students from Amity High at its residential building sites in the Portland area over the past three years to help them learn more about residential construction. Taylor Morrison shared this story about how that relationship helped link a student to her dream career in plumbing.

Towards the end of her high school career, Makenna Mott knew that a typical 4-year degree was not for her, she wanted something different and was determined to find it. Mott was enrolled in Stearns’ program at Chemeketa Community College while a student at West Salem High. She discovered a love for the trades, and working with her hands .

Sterns teaches at the Chemeketa campus, and tells us Mott is a rare high school student who actually took classes at the Community College along with her high school classes. Sterns went through the necessary steps so his construction students at Amity High School can earn dual credit at Chemeketa Community College while attending school at the Amity campus, but that is not a typical option for many high school students.

Taylor Morrison arranges for Amity construction students to tour one of their building sites, where they spend the day speaking with superintendents and various trade partners about the process, industry, and vast opportunities in the trades. This is where Stumptown Plumbing’s Ryan MacDougall and Sterns met in 2022. MacDougall says “ John has a passion for the trades and works hard to instill that in his students, so we naturally connected. “

When Mott started to take an interest in electrical and plumbing, she found herself with a decision to make. She spoke to Sterns about where she wanted to take her future and asked for guidance. Sterns suggested that she talk with Stumptown Plumbing to get a better feel if plumbing was the right trade for her.

Mott quickly reached out to set up a time to talk. When they met Mott, Stumptown Plumbing’s MacDougall says he knew immediately she was serious about her future. “ She had a professional looking resume, she dressed and acted like a professional” . He explains they discussed the plumbing trade, where it had taken him in his career, and the potential it had for her career.” After their discussion, Mott had made her decision.

Mott started her pursuit of the plumbing trades with Stumptown in July of 2024 as a laborer. Soon, she will be getting into the Area 2 JATC apprenticeship program. Stumptown’s MacDougall says from the start she has been hard working and very eager to learn. “She has the attitude and work ethic to go far in this trade. I feel very lucky that she chose to start her career with us. I look forward to seeing her grow into a journeyman plumber and wherever else this path leads her. “

HBF encourages people in the industry to connect with local construction education programs. Our Workforce Development outreach efforts put us in frequent contact with area high schools, and can help make introductions. If you have your own programs, we’d love to hear about it and share your story. Contact HBF’s Workforce coordinator Teresa Spangler, Teresas@hbapdx.org for more information.

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