NIACC to launch Fundamentals of Construction course for job-seeking adults

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A new program is in development to bolster the area workforce as NIACC is coordinating with community leaders to offer a Fundamentals of Construction course at the Charles City Career Center.

“They’ll come in and learn basic construction,” said Mayor Dean Andrews, who is on a committee of area educators and contractors working to get the course off the ground.

The Fundamentals of Construction class will be a seven-week course starting on Jan. 27 and going through March 12, held three days a week from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Taught by Sawyer Smith, who teaches a similar NIACC Career Center course for high school students, this class is intended for post-high school adults seeking an avenue into the construction industry.

“A desire to work is the only requirement,” said Andrews. “This is made for the students to improve their ability to get a better job in an industry that is looking for more workers.”

Students will spend about 70 hours over the seven-week course learning basic construction fundamentals like reading blueprints, measuring standards and different construction materials along with general workplace expectations.

There will also be hands-on learning involved as participants will be tasked with building a shed for the American Passenger Train History Museum’s depot.

The course will not count toward credit for a North Iowa Area Community College degree, but those who complete it will receive a certificate to demonstrate that they know the basics of construction. Graduates will also receive a tool belt and tools to get them started on building an inventory of their own equipment.

The course will require a tuition fee, though financial assistance will be available for those unable to afford it.

“NIACC has a program through the state that can help cover that tuition,” said Andrews.

Andrews said the committee is also seeking sponsors to help create a stipend to facilitate participants who would need to take time off of work to take the class.

Right now, the class is looking for about 12 people to participate.

Andrews credits the origin of the idea to Paul Rottinghaus, whose connection through the city’s housing task force and NIACC Foundation Board of Directors brought together the committee’s key players.

“People in the trades are always looking for more workers so he thought this would be a way to use the new academy,” said Andrews.

To that end, NIACC’s Director of Workforce Strategy Alyse DeVries started a committee composed of Andrews, Emily Garden, NIACC’s Dean of Continuing Education Patti Hanson, Charles City High School industrial tech teacher Al Nielsen, Codey Fox of Fox Construction and Rick Cordes of Cordes Construction to advise on the development of the class.

If successful, Andrews says that future courses could be established to provide similar opportunities for other fields in need of workers.

“We thought we would start with just a basic construction course,” said Andrews. “Maybe we’ll have a course for plumbing or maybe the basics of electrician. … “I think if this goes well, we will want to start another one fairly soon.”

Those interested in learning more about the class are invited to visit the NIACC Career Center on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for an open house where more information will be available.