SWCC
2008 SWCC News
SWCC Construction Academy Officials Attend Careers in Construction Day
The Honorable Clarence E. “Bud” Phillips, member, Virginia House of Delegates (center), is pictured with Larry Hughes, Southwest Virginia Community College Construction Academy project director (left) and Dr. J. Mark Estepp, president of SWCC, at the 1st Annual Careers in Construction Week Celebration held at the Shaw Power Group facility in St. Paul. Phillips was a speaker at the event. SWCC officials were on-hand at the event to talk to students about the Construction Academy’s pre-apprenticeship program and skilled-crafts training. The Southwest Virginia Community College Construction Academy recently participated in the 1st Annual Careers in Construction Week Celebration held at the Shaw Power Group facility in St. Paul. The event was in honor of a 2008 proclamation by Governor Timothy M. Kaine declaring October 14th – 17th as Careers in Construction week. The day highlighted the exciting careers available to individuals in construction industries and educated participants about the training options available in the region.
Participants explored career opportunities at the event by talking with vendors and watching demonstrations in the construction field ranging from safety to welding. SWCC officials were at the event to talk to students about the Construction Academy’s pre-apprenticeship program and skilled-crafts training.
“Our goal is to partner with community action agencies, career and technology centers and other community colleges in the region to provide educational and training opportunities in the construction industry,” said Larry Hughes, Construction Academy Project Director.
The Construction Academy pre-apprenticeship program is a 16-week, seven-credit curriculum that offers an overview of the construction industry and focuses on a respective trade. The pre-apprenticeship program offers two courses to help students prepare for entry level employment in the construction industry. In addition to the 10-hour OSHA training, the Introduction to Construction course offers training in principles of construction, job readiness, print reading, and problem-solving. Students then take a course in their chosen focus area. Students can choose Welding or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. In fall 2009, Masonry, Carpentry, and Plumbing focus areas will be added. Tuition, books, and supplies are provided for the pre-apprenticeship program.
The Southwest Virginia Community College Construction Academy is funded in part by a $1.8 million grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
For more information about the Construction Academy or the pre-apprenticeship program contact Rachel Lambert, student liaison, at 276.964.7562 or Larry Hughes, project director, at 276.964.7538.
