Goodwill Construction Skills to offer free construction training in Charlotte

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Four educational organizations in Charlotte – Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), and The ROC (Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction) – have joined together to establish a construction skills training center to train and certify high school students and adults for in-demand trade skills free of charge.

The Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center is scheduled to open its doors in January 2019 in a facility that formerly served as a warehouse for Goodwill’s retail operations. The existing 15,000-square-foot building located directly across from Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology at 1335 Allegheny St., will require $2.5 million for renovation, upfit and equipment.

Students will complete foundational training before selecting a specialized program of study, which may include: Construction, field supervision, concrete/masonry, apartment maintenance, advanced carpentry, computer aided drafting and design, HVAC and electrical.

High school students will complete career and technical education coursework through The ROC during the daytime hours, with adult training through Goodwill taking place in the evening.

CPCC will provide all teacher instruction services via the Career & College Promise program utilizing industry-leading curriculums. Once their training programs are complete, both youth and adult students can choose to enter the workforce, apply for an apprenticeship, or transfer between 41 and 53 credit hours toward an associate’s degree at CPCC depending upon their area of concentration. By 2020, the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center will serve about 120 youth and 400 adults each year.

CMS students will have the opportunity to participate in exploration and career readiness, as well as complete paid internships in the summer before selecting a concentration. Ongoing basic needs fulfillment, career planning, resume development and job search support are embedded in the adult programs through Goodwill.

“We recognize the skilled trades are an essential part of helping to build our growing city, and having these skills can lead to in-demand high potential careers. We also understand the path for individuals in our community to attain these skills is sometimes met with obstacles. We’ve come together with CPCC, CMS and The ROC to make the path to these careers possible for people in our region,” Chris Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, said in a statement. “The programs offered at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center are provided at no cost to participants and lead to industry-recognized certifications that create access to opportunities for family-sustaining employment.”

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