From WCTV.tv
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV)—Leon County Schools has partnered with the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to collaborate on a new program that will help train students for careers in the construction industry.
Through the partnership, Lively Technical Institute will offer a new course called Building Trades and Construction Design Technology. It’s intended to help fill a growing gap of trained works in the trade.
“We keep hearing from the contractors, form the subcontractors, we don’t have a bench. There’s nobody back there waiting to fill these jobs. And as we continue to grow locally, we’ve got to have people that are able to fill those vacancies,” said Shelly Bell, Director Career, Technical and Adult Education at Lively.
According to Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the demand for electricians is expected to grow by 18 percent in the next five years. For HVAC workers, the number is 19 percent. Through the course, students will learn skills like carpentry, framing, tile work, management, finance and more to better suit these growing demands.
“We need the young people to know that there are viable opportunities for careers in construction that are very lucrative and successful,” said Bill Kimberl, owner of Bill Kimberl Construction and president of the Tallahassee Builders Association.
He hopes the program will help strengthen an aging workforce.
“There’s a huge void to fill and by obtaining these skills, you can get immediate appointment here in Tallahassee,” said Kimberl.
Students can sign up for the full time program, which takes about nine months to complete. There is also a dual enrollment program for high school students and a part time program for those looking to take night classes.
The cost of the full time program is about $3,500. However, financial aid is available.
For more information, visit www.livelytech.com. Classes begin August 13.
