Boosting Local Careers: DCCC's Chester Trades Education Project Receives $25,000 Endless Pools Grant

Delaware County Community College (DCCC) has received a $25,000 grant from Endless Pools®, a division of Masco Corporation. The grant is part of the Masco Million Differences campaign, which supports diversity and inclusion in the American corporate workforce through educational and career initiatives. Endless Pools, a manufacturer of swim-in-place pools, is located in Aston, PA, and operates in over 30 countries.

The grant will fund the Chester Trades Education Project (CTEP) at DCCC, which provides vocational training in carpentry to Chester residents. The program offers a Certificate of Proficiency in Residential Carpentry and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Skilled Trades. The aim is to help participants achieve economic stability.

CTEP involves several local organizations, including the Riverside Futures Community Development Corporation, the Chester Housing Authority, and the Rotary clubs of Chester and Swarthmore. These partnerships help make education accessible to the community by covering all tuition fees through the Kelleher Connect Career Opportunity Fund, established by Andrew and Sharon Kelleher.

The program began in fall 2021 and accepts about 15 new students annually. It starts with classes in Chester and moves to the Marple Campus and the Jerome S. Parker Advanced Technology Center, providing comprehensive training for careers in construction.

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