Source: WSAW-7
Students at Northcentral Technical College are learning entry-level construction skills for free. The training is helping to address a shortage of trade workers.
It’s because of a partnership with the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership | Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program, or WRTP | BIG STEP. It’s a workforce development program that received a grant for these trainings.
Jim MacIntyre is an adjunct instructor for the Entry-Level Construction Skills Training Program, or ELCS. He says the eight students he’s teaching are fantastic to work with.
“We’ve been going through different exercises like building models. We’ve gone through construction mathematics, done the history of the American Worker,” MacIntyre said.
“They’re willing to give back, and they’ve been working very, very hard on different projects and activities,” he said.
Students get hands-on experience and learn how to identify different tools and materials. They also get OSHA 30 training.
“An OSHA 30 is going through 30 hours of OSHA training, which is all the health and safety stuff pertaining to construction and general industry,” said Joshua Taft, a student in the ELCS Training Program.
Taft says this is what drew him to the program. He’s been working at Wausau Homes for eleven years and wanted to build his skill set.
“Potentially a different pathway or a different career. Otherwise, yeah, I could push towards, not upper management, but more of an elevated management position, especially having an extended OSHA training,” Taft said.
His favorite part of the training has been building benches and the camaraderie. On Monday, students heard from a guest speaker from WRTP | BIG STEP.
“Our goal is to reach out to people that may not understand about joining a construction field, or they’re underemployed or underrepresented in construction. So like women and minorities or people that may not be living with family sustaining wages so that we can expose them to a career in construction,” said Laura Bell, statewide director of WRTP | BIG STEP.
Students range from high schoolers to full-time workers. The training prepares students for apprenticeships. Some students will finish ready for employment.