Accelerated course at WNC makes construction careers more accessible, lucrative
Submitted by editor on Fri, 08/25/2017 - 11:39am
To meet the growing crunch for qualified construction craft laborers, Western Nevada College, in partnership with Nevada Builders Alliance, JOIN, Inc. and JobConnect, is again offering an accelerated, nationally recognized construction certification class at its Carson City campus. The course runs Monday through Friday, Aug. 28 through Oct. 26.
Students completing the program will receive nine college credit-hours and two nationally recognized industry credentials from the National Center for Construction Education and Research, or NCCER, along with a 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety card. NCCER is a nonprofit education foundation created in 1996 that facilitates standardized training and credentialing for the construction industry.
“The Construction Industry is missing two generations of workers,” WNC Director of Career and Technical Education Georgia White said. “The Construction Gateway program provides an accelerated education pathway for those interested in careers in construction. Completion of the Construction Gateway program begins a lifetime of opportunities. Individuals acquire skills for immediate employment and/or continue their education.”
White said successful Gateway students will complete three courses: Fundamentals of Construction Management (CEM 100), Construction Materials and Methods (CONS 108) and Construction Site Safety (CONS 205).
“Completion of these courses puts a student on the path to begin work as a craft laborer or continue education to complete one-year certificate of achievement and a two-year or a four-year degree,” she said. “The certificate and degree provide additional NCCER credentials valued in the workplace today, and will help towards continuing education in the future.”
Aaron West, CEO of Nevada Builders Alliance, said the time has never been better for people who are underemployed or looking to launch a new career to consider construction.
“Employers are struggling to fill open positions,” he said. “Construction Gateway will get you job-site ready in nine weeks for an entry-level position paying up to $15 per hour. And it sets you up to easily jump back into additional classes and certifications to raise your income if you choose.”
West said the industry is also seeking experienced carpenters, skilled trades workers and project managers.
“The opportunities are unlimited,” he said. “People who work hard and have a good attitude can pretty much write their own tickets in construction.”
For more information on the Construction Gateway program at WNC, contact WNC Construction Instructor Nigel Harrison at 775-445-4412 or Nigel.Harrison@wnc.edu.
About Nevada Builders Alliance: The Nevada Builders Alliance is a professional organization representing the construction industry, and all affiliated sectors. With over 730 member companies representing tens of thousands of hard-working Nevadans in every corner of the state, Nevada Builders is the voice of the construction industry. See www.nevadabuilders.org for more information.
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