LMUSD Honored with the Prestigious “Spark Plug” Award
Central Coast Construction Trades—a coalition of trade unions and partner organizations across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties—continues to champion access to high-quality, head-of-household careers through robust apprenticeship pathways. This year’s Apprentice Awards celebration highlighted the strength of the region’s skilled trades community and the inspirational work happening across local school districts.
One of the evening’s most notable honors went to Lucia Mar Unified School District (LMUSD), which received the “Spark Plug” Award. This recognition celebrates organizations that ignite opportunity, inspire student engagement, and actively promote pathways into the skilled trades. LMUSD’s deep collaboration with trade unions and its commitment to real-world learning experiences have positioned it as a model for districts across the Central Coast.
Lucia Mar was honored with the Spark Plug Outstanding Apprentice award
The event drew leaders from across the state, including State Senator John Laird and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Both emphasized the critical role of apprenticeships in building strong local economies, supporting local hires, and ensuring students have access to bright, sustainable career futures. Their remarks underscored a recurring theme throughout the evening: apprenticeship programs don’t just train workers—they uplift communities.
In addition to the awards celebration, Central Coast Construction Trades recently partnered with schools for Trades/Professional Day at Nipomo High School. Nearly 20 unions, vendors, and local professionals gathered on campus to introduce students to hands-on opportunities, showcase career pathways, and share personal stories of growth and success through apprenticeship. The event further reinforced how industry and education can work hand-in-hand to open doors for the next generation.
LMUSD is proud to work closely with the region’s trade unions and looks forward to spotlighting these transformative partnerships throughout the year. Together, they are inspiring future apprentices, elevating career education, and strengthening the Central Coast workforce—one student at a time. For more information, visit LMUSD’s Career Technical Education website.
