Gavin Davies builds his future at Eastside Training Center

By Jean Borst

As a student at Curtis Senior High School, Gavin Davies was doing what he could to keep up. But something wasn’t clicking.

“I was trying, but I couldn’t really keep my head above water,” the 17-year-old said. “I realized the standard high school path wasn’t for me.”

He worked with his high school counselor to weigh his options, but it was a recommendation from a close friend that ultimately pointed him in a new direction.

“He told me about his experience attending Clover Park Technical College’s Eastside Training Center (ETC), so I decided to enroll,” Davies said. “ETC offered exactly what I wanted: a direct focus on skill, learning and doing. Now, I’m on an educational path that actually suits me.”

As a Northwest Career & Technical High School (NWCTHS) student attending ETC, that path is also streamlined and tuition-free. When Davies completes his six-quarter program, he will have earned his high school diploma and Construction Technology Associate of Applied Technology degree, all while gaining real-world experience along the way.

Not meant for a desk

For Davies, the draw to the trades wasn’t new.

“I guess you could say I’m anti-desk job,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands.”

Growing up, he spent much of his free time working alongside his grandfather on 10 acres of land – maintaining trails, caring for animals and tackling day-to-day projects. That experience made a lasting impression.

“Working under his guidance gave me a sense of purpose and pride in physical work,” Davies said. “I didn’t really realize it at the time, but that’s what pushed me toward the trades.”

Still, choosing a specific path wasn’t easy.

“I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in, and committing to a program was difficult,” he said. “After talking with someone who was already in the Construction Technology program, I realized it would be a good fit for me.”

Building skills – and rediscovering confidence

Starting at ETC meant adjusting to a new routine – including a long daily bus commute. But Davies knew early on that ETC was where he wanted to be.

“One of our earliest projects was to make our own sawhorses and workbenches that we’d use throughout the program,” he said. “It was a great introduction – learning how to use the tools and creating something practical from scratch.”

That hands-on approach has made all the difference for Davies – and it’s started to shift how he sees himself.

“At ETC, I have more freedom and flexibility, but that also means I need to be more responsible and self-sufficient,” he said. “I feel like I’m being prepared for what I’ll eventually do in the real world.”

More than anything, the experience has helped him find his footing again.

“I had lost confidence and the ability to feel successful,” he said. “That’s come back.”

Support that goes beyond the shop

While the hands-on work is central, Davies says the people at ETC have been just as impactful. He’s grown close with others in his cohort and credits his instructors for helping him stay on track, build self-assurance and better understand what it takes to succeed in a technical program.

But his relationship outside the shop and classroom with NWCTHS instructor Chas Gardner really stands out.

“We meet twice a week and talk about growth, community resources and support systems,” he said. “He’s helped me with everything from writing a resume to applying for jobs. He’s not technically my advisor, but that’s how I think of him.”

Putting training into practice

The skills Davies is building at ETC are already opening doors.

Through the program, he gained foundational experience in projects like shed framing. Then, over a school break, he was able to put those skills to work.

“I have a family connection to someone who builds high-end treehouses,” he said. “I got to help with the demolition and rebuild on a big deck project. If I hadn’t been in this program, I wouldn’t have had that opportunity.”

Looking ahead – with momentum

Davies is on track to complete his studies in winter quarter 2027. And he’s already thinking about what comes next.

“I plan to go right into an apprenticeship in carpentry,” he said. “Being able to do that at 17 will be a huge advantage.”

His long-term goal is simple: start working, keep learning and keep progressing in the trade.

“A lot of people in the program want to start their own business,” he says. “That could be something I do in the future. But right now, I just want to work my way up the ladder.”

Advice for getting started

For Davies, ETC has been about more than learning a trade. It’s helped him move forward with purpose.

For anyone still figuring things out or on the fence about taking that next step, Davies keeps his advice simple.

“Just go for it,” he said. “You don’t have to have everything figured out. And if it’s not the right fit, you can change direction.”

It’s the same kind of encouragement that helped him take the first leap – and something he hopes to pass on.

“If I can be that person for someone else, that would be awesome.”