A New Partnership

Last week, a new industry partnership began at West-MEC’s Southwest campus. E&K Companies Inc. came out to the SWC to sign their first West-MEC student, simultaneously planting their flag as West-MEC’s newest industry partner.

E&K is an interior and exterior finish contractor specializing in a service that focuses on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Santino Centorbi was the first beneficiary of this new partnership. Centorbi will start his new role in January of 2024, and he is optimistic about his future after inking his deal with E&K.

“This means a lot to me because I was never sure I’d get a job like this, but right off the bat with West-MEC, I got one,” said Centorbi. “West-MEC helped me land this role, and my instructor put in so much effort to make this possible. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

While Centorbi is the first West-MEC student to sign with E&K, he will be far from the last. Jeff Dowd, President at E&K of Phoenix, is excited to get more West-MEC students into the E&K family.

“We are excited about this new partnership with West-MEC. With the need we have in the construction industry, this program is a perfect fit for E&K,” said Dowd. “We are going to do whatever we can to help the program, and we look forward to the future of the partnership.”

Rudy Basaldua started this year as the Construction Technology instructor at the SWC. In just his first semester, he is pushing hard for industry partnerships to create new opportunities for his students.

So many great things come from an industry partnership, and West-MEC is always looking for more. Basaldua was able to help create a new dynamic collaboration with E&K, and his students are already seeing the benefits of West-MEC’s latest industry partnership.

“This partnership means everything for me and my students because it’s a direct pathway to a career that comes with great benefits,” said Basaldua. “Our Superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon promotes financial literacy and economic independence and I just couldn’t be happier for Santino and to continue working with E&K.”

But most importantly, a good industry partnership is mutually beneficial, and this partnership is as mutually beneficial as possible. E&K obtains highly proficient, qualified workers, and West-MEC students have yet another potential opportunity to chase when they finish a West-MEC program.

“The fact we have schools like West-MEC getting kids in the trades, teaching them that they can have a successful career without going to college, combined with us needing the help, it’s a perfect match for both of us,” said Garry Younkin, Sr. Field Operations Manager at E&K of Phoenix. “I’m super happy to be here helping Rudy and West-MEC. Santino is the first student we recruited from West-MEC, and I just want to thank West-MEC for allowing us to work with these students.”