In a May 30 event at a former Goodwill warehouse in Charlotte, N.C., Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), and The ROC (Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction) announced the start of a new partnership to train and certify high school students and adults for trade and construction jobs free of charge.
The Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center will occupy the former warehouse, which is set to open its doors to trade students in January 2019 following a $2.5 million upfit and renovation. By December 2018, the 15,000 square foot facility will contain laboratory bays with industry specific equipment and a “smart” classroom space.
“We recognize the skilled trades are an essential part of helping to build our growing city, and having these skills can lead to in-demand high potential careers. We also understand the path for individuals in our community to attain these skills is sometimes met with obstacles. We’ve come together with CPCC, CMS and The ROC to make the path to these careers possible for people in our region,” says Chris Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.
“The programs offered at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center are provided at no cost to participants and lead to industry-recognized certifications that create access to opportunities for family-sustaining employment.”
According to a Harvard/UC Berkley study, Charlotte ranks last among the 50 largest cities in the nation in avenues toward economic mobility. At the same time, Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, with a tremendous unmet demand from construction companies for skilled trade professionals.
In a 2016 survey, the North Carolina Department of Commerce found that more than half of construction companies in the state had hiring difficulties, and demand for skilled construction professionals is expected to increase by 20%, or 37,000 jobs, in the state by 2024. Nearly half of these positions result from current employees aging out of the workforce. In addition, according to a survey by the Association of General Contractors, 60% of construction firms in the U.S. have increased their base pay rates to attract workers.
By 2020, the facility is expected to serve 120 youth and 400 adult students each year. Each student will receive foundational construction training, then choose a more specialized field of study, which may include construction, field supervision, concrete/masonry, apartment maintenance, advanced carpentry, computer aided drafting & design, HVAC and electrical.
High school students will receive career and technical education through The ROC during the day, and adults will receive training through Goodwill in the evenings. CPCC will provide teacher instruction services. Upon completion of the program, youth and adult students can start work, apply for an apprenticeship, or transfer between 41 and 53 credit hours towards an associate’s degree at CPCC. Youth students will be eligible for career readiness classes and complete paid internships during the summer, and Goodwill will provide adult students with ongoing basic needs fulfillment, career planning, resume development and job search support.
The project has received its initial $500,000 investment from Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help provide a new vocational pathway that has not been available for Charlotte’s high school students in over 30 years. We value the emphasis on building direct relationships with employer mentors, and appreciate the importance of paid apprenticeships to address inequities in economic mobility,” says The Reverend Chip Edens, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church.
