New program aims to help its graduates find full-time employment in construction

Fifteen students made history last week as the inaugural graduating class in Tallahassee of Construction Ready 's First Construction Industry Pre-Apprenticeship program.

Participants of the 20-day program held at Goodwill Big Bend, 300 Mabry St., varied in age, background and prior experience, but shared a common goal of finding full-time employment in construction.

Savanna Irving, 20, was working as a special needs nanny and at a gym when she found out about the program through her mother who works for the Wakulla Correctional Institution.

"I plan on just getting a good stable job, and to save up a lot of money to indulge in some irresponsible purchases, like cars," Irving said. "But then, you know, to be able to afford nursing school."

To Irving, the best part about the program has been earning her certifications and learning about the power tools. She says the materials used during classes with Construction Ready, like a hard hat, tools, vest, were provided free of cost.

"I learned that it's definitely going to be rough for a woman, but it's not impossible," Irving said.

One of her classmates is 38-year-old Tallahassee native, Gregory Childers, who was working various jobs before hearing about the program through a friend. Childers knew he needed further education, and said he appreciated Construction Ready's intense cram-style curriculum.

"I'd rather do it all in eight or nine hours a day than spreading it out over a year or something," Childers said. "It's good that we got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time."

Through the program, Childers says he learned something new every day, which led him to some of the certifications he and his class now hold in areas like laser tools and power tools.

Goodwill brings training program to Tallahassee

Construction Ready was developed in 1993 through a construction consulting team of 30 major companies in Atlanta. The program's mission is to prepare students for full-time careers in construction and facilitates a hiring fair with trusted employers with the goal that each participant will land a new job.

Goodwill Big Bend's Ignite Re-Entry program, Black + Decker, the Arthur M Blank Foundation, the Home Depot Foundation, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, were key organizations funding the program, making it free of cost to eligible participants.

Goodwill Big Bend's CEO Fred Shelfer told the Tallahassee Democrat that Construction Ready entered a contractual agreement with Goodwill Big Bend to hold classes at its facilities.

"Construction Ready operates out of Atlanta, Georgia," Shelfer said. "Until recently, they were not licensed in Florida. But we asked them to get licensed, so they could provide a class for Goodwill, here."

Goodwill's involvement stems from its mission to enhance a person's quality of life through education and employment opportunities. This initiative was funded through donations, grant sponsorships and leveraging retail funds, all to ensure that people in the community would have access to the training necessary to secure stable, well-paying jobs.

Graduates successful in landing jobs locally

Led by their primary instructor Anthony Welch, the Social Director of Training and Site Management for Construction Ready, the class acquired eight new certifications during graduation at the completion of their program.

He's seen several graduates find successful careers in the industry with the skills they learn.

"From day one, I've seen them come through when they didn't have a lot," Welch said moments after presenting students with their certifications and gifts they received from Goodwill. "But by the time they finish up the program and start working, I've seen it change their lives forever. They're now able to get vehicles, get a new home and find something better for themselves."

Previous graduates have found success in their field upon completion of the program. Some of the titles they've held include apprentice lineman, service director, material handler, electrician and roofer.

Four of Tallahassee's recent graduates have already secured positions with MetroPower, while three of their classmates will begin working at Sperry & Associates. Interviews for the remaining students will continue until July 10.

Tallahassee's next group of Construction Ready students will begin classes in September.

For more information on Construction Ready's First Construction Industry Pre-Apprenticeship Class, visit https://constructionready.org .

Democrat Writer Mycah Brown can be found at MJBrown@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: New program aims to help its graduates find full-time employment in construction