Program helping students enter construction trades

JOIN, Inc., Northern Nevada’s career training agency, wants every Nevadan to have the opportunity to make not just minimum wage, but a living wage.

“We are breaking the cycle of poverty through education,” Denise Castle, executive director for JOIN, Inc. said. “We offer paid tuition, funding for supportive services like pre-employment physicals and OSHA cards, as well as help with safety gear and tools for eligible clients.”

Nevadans who are at least 18 years old, who either have or are in the process of obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent; have served in and been released from the military; have lost a job through layoff, reorganization, downsizing or termination; are without prior job experience; qualify for public assistance; or pregnant or parenting (male or female) young adult ages 18-24 years of age are eligible to participate.

“Financial concerns should not be a barrier to career training,” she said. “Our goal at JOIN, Inc. is to level the playing field for all Northern Nevadans seeking to gain the skills needed to succeed in the new Nevada.”

JOIN, Inc. has partnered once again with Nevada Builders Alliance and Western Nevada College to offer Construction Gateway, an 8-week accelerated learning course designed to train those who are new to construction or those who wish to gain additional skills and certifications for the job site.

Construction Gateway begins Oct. 24 and runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. until Dec. 17 at WNC’s Carson City Campus.

Castle said interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for processing.

According to Nevadaworkforce.com, construction jobs were up more than 1,100, or 8.94 percent, since August 2015, and the average wage for construction laborers in Nevada is $41,000.

Aaron West, CEO of Nevada Builders Alliance, said in the coming years, by October 2019, Nevada is expected to employ or need more than 92,000 craft professionals in the skilled trades, which include such diversity as carpentry, heavy equipment operators, drywall installers and finishers, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air condition technicians, tile setters and carpet layers and electricians.

“Construction Gateway is the perfect program to get people started in a construction career across multiple trades,” he said. “Students will learn basic job site skills and earn nationally recognized certification in construction craft labor, including an OSHA 10 safety certification.”

Visit www.JOIN.org to find the nearest JOIN, Inc. branch office location or call the Carson City office at 775-283-0125. To inquire about the Construction Gateway construction craft laborer program at WNC, contact Nigel Harrison at Nigel.Harrison@wnc.edu.

For more information on Nevada Builders Alliance, contact outreach@nevadabuilders.org, or call Pam Duxbury, outreach officer, at 775-882-4353.