With the construction boom in Madison, there’s a high demand for skilled tradespeople to contribute to various projects, such as hospitals, schools, bridges, highways, pipelines, high-rise commercial buildings, and residential developments. Employers are actively seeking new talent, and considering a crane hire Welshpool could be a pivotal aspect in successfully executing both large and small-scale construction endeavors. The Foundations for the Trades Program is playing a crucial role in introducing individuals to this thriving industry.
“Vertical buildings, roads, sewers, municipal projects … all around you can see the opportunities for construction at the local level,” says Ed Lee, Chief Program Development Officer at the Urban League of Greater Madison. “In terms of workforce opportunities, it’s one of the fastest growing industries in Dane County. It definitely lands in the top-5 in terms of projected workforce need over the next 5 years.”
With that in mind, the Urban League has partnered in the Foundations for the Trades Academy, a partnership that also includes the City of Madison, Construction Training, Inc., Latino Academy for Workforce Development, Operation Fresh Start, United Way of Dane County, WorkSmart Network, and YWCA Madison. They are currently seeking applicants for the program.
During the 7-week training program conducted by program partners including Construction Training, Inc., Operation Fresh Start and Urban League of Greater Madison, recruits receive both classroom and hands-on training in foundational construction trades concepts. Students earn CPR and OSHA Safety certification and complete modules from the industry-recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training(PACT) curriculum.
“Not only are they getting access to employers but they are also getting certificates in CPR, first aid, OSHA … and all of the things they are supposed to,” says Terry Birts, employment specialist for the Urban League, who oversees the program. “It gives them confidence going into a worksite that they know what to do and can be safe. As a former [construction] employer, these were things that I looked for. I wanted to know that somebody I hired was going to be safe. This course makes people confident in themselves and their skills.”
Tre Deadwiler is a member of the current Foundation for the Trades cohort, and his current goal is to complete the seven-week training program so he will have the tools to step into a family sustaining job. “I want to do this the right way. Get the training and the job first and make sure that I am ready for the rest,” Deadwiler says.
Deadwiler says that he has always liked hands-on activities and building things, but wasn’t sure that he could get into construction because of his fear of math. “Working in a small setting, with others who look like me, with instructors who care about me has really helped,” he says. “I can ask a lot of questions and walk away understanding rather than getting lost and giving up.”
Deadwiler has received certifications in Osha-10, CPR, flagging, forklifts, fall protection and the basics of hand tools. “Now when I go out to look for work I am almost there,” he says. “With my new skills, employers have to take a look at me.”
Clients learn construction skills and practice them on a real work site while also getting help with résumé, job search and interviewing skills. They are also able to apply their new skills at an actual job site. Deadwiler shared that he was nervous about roofing, but after receiving training in roofing services for residential and commercial roofing he was able to do it without fear.
“I would tell someone like me, just try it,” Deadwiler says.”If you have a desire to build or get into construction, don’t be afraid. This program will help you get there.”
Birts, who has spent 37 years in construction, says that from the 7-week course, they can go straight into a job or an apprenticeship.
“It’s really a training to work. Short-term, it’s intensive but it’s intended to get folks into entry-level construction jobs and/or apprenticeships,” he says.
The intensive training program includes classroom training that prepares the students for apprenticeship entrance exams and for employability. Students also gain skill and experience through on-site building and construction and training in reading blueprints, construction math and measuring, and safety.
“The program allows people to spend time at different job sites and exposes them to different avenues of the trades,” says Birts. “The final week of class we bring 15 employers in and each employer gives an interview with 15 candidates. They are able to get some exposure and a feel for what they’ve learned and what they have to offer.”
In 2012, the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin created the Foundations for the Trades Academy with the mission of providing resources and more access for individuals to pursue career pathways in the construction and trades industry. The program is offered in partnership with Construction Training, Inc.’s START Program, Operation Fresh Start, and Urban League of Greater Madison with funding through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998.
In the next week, Foundations for the Trades Training (FFTT) Academy will be hosting Information and Enrollment Sessions throughout Madison to provide candidates with training opportunities for the construction industry. This is a 7-week training academy where in-classroom, on-the-job, mentoring with employment and supportive services are available to eligible participants. Graduates will obtain 5 certifications, be trained on-the-job site, mentored for apprenticeship exam preparation and prepared for seeking and keeping construction related employment.
Training takes place at the Urban League of Greater Madison, Operation Fresh Start, and construction work sites around Madison. There is no cost to participate, however, space is limited.
“[Urban League President and CEO] Ruben [Anthony] has connections and expertise in this particular industry and has been working deliberately with a lot of players in construction and transportation to make sure that doors are open to get into those jobs,” Lee says. “One of the advantages that clients get by coming to the Urban League is getting access to the network of employers that we’ve built up over many, many years.”
It’s a network that you wouldn’t find in your typical technical college program, Lee says. “You’d certainly get that skills training, but you wouldn’t get that personalized attention or the tapping into employers that the Urban League has,” he says. “You are getting connected directly to an employer that wants to hire you.”
For more information on Foundations for the Trades Academy, call Terry Birts at (608) 729-1270 or email [email protected].
Information and enrollment sessions will be held:
◆ Monday, April. 11, noon, and Friday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. at the Dane County Job Center
◆ Tuesday, April 12, 1 p.m. at the East Madison Community Center
◆ Wednesday, April 13, 9 a.m. at the Urban League of Greater Madison
◆ Thursday, April 14, 9 a.m. at the Lussier Community Education Center
