Montana State University has announced that it will be offering a job preparedness training program in July for students interested in a career in the field of construction.
The program will equip participants with essential skills for entry-level jobs in the construction trades. They will be taught industrial practices, workplace safety, power and hand tools, basic framing, and concrete work.
As part of the intensive program, students will complete 30 hours of online modules in which they have to acquire a grade of 70% or higher before they can proceed to a 15-hour onsite workshop.
“The idea is to give students the basic tools to go into an apprenticeship program with a head start over someone else without this training,” Program Instructor Frank Harriman said.
“We want to provide them with exposure to the field and give them the confidence they can do the jobs they are asked [to do]. We feel once they are exposed to this industry, they can see why a lot of us find it fun and a likable job,” he added.
Eligibility, Program Details
Montana announced in a press release that the training program is open to interested individuals 16 years old and older. The fee is $750, covering online instruction, an in-person lab workshop, and a 20-piece toolset that graduates can use for future employment.
The program promises the equivalent of six months of job site training in just a few days. “Participants will leave the program feeling confident in their skills, understanding how to work onsite safely and highly marketable for an industry that has a strong need for employees,” the university explained.
According to Harriman, construction companies have already contacted the university for referrals to students participating in the training.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to work in various fields such as carpentry, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.