Training New Employees for Success

Entry level construction employees have a high attrition rate. Many don’t understand the work or the physical demands or they lack fundamental employment skills. The South Central Workforce Council, which serves Kittitas, Klickitat, and Yakima Counties, applied for and was awarded a $250,000 grant to promote apprenticeship and provide additional training for journeymen. A unique partnership between the carpenter, laborer, painting, and sheet metal unions, Central Washington contractors, AGC, Yakima Valley Community College, and the Yakama Nation supported the collaborative effort. The AGC Education Foundation received the contract to develop and train potential workers in basic construction and employment skills.

So far, two of the eight classes have been held with amazing results. The first class was for Yakama Nation members and the second class was held in upper Yakima County. 94% of the students completed the 11 day class with 97.5% attendance. The course covers human resource issues, safety, construction math, blueprint reading, tools, and meeting the job’s physical demands. At the end of the program the students earn cards for 1st Aid/CPR, bloodborne pathogens, OSHA 10, and a certificate of completion.

Student evaluations validated the need for this type of training. They found the class gave them the confidence to apply for a construction job. And the soft skills opened their eyes with ideas for solving problems at work. Instructors were very impressed with the level of participation and were highly complimentary of the student achievement.

Success will be measured through employment. 33% of the graduates have entered apprenticeship programs and 20% found direct entry with construction companies. All of the Yakama Nation members not currently employed are on the TERO list of available workers. Workforce Council staff are helping the remaining graduates find jobs.

Future classes will be held through May 2006 in Yakima, Kittitas, and Klickitat Counties. The Central Washington journeyman training fund can be accessed by contacting Brian McGuire at the Yakima AGC office, or your local union. If you are interested in hiring one of the graduates of the construction readiness program contact Amy Martinez, South Central Workforce Council at 509.574.1950.