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City and Partners Host Construction Career Training Graduation Today

[Duluth, MN] Today a group of 8 participants graduate from a 6-week training class to prepare them for careers in construction.

The class was offered through a partnership between the Carpenters Union Training Institute, SOAR Career Solutions, ISD709 Adult Basic Education, and the City of Duluth.  Support for the class came from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, a Women’s Economic Security Act grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and other sources.

“This is an exciting time to enter the construction and building trades,” said Elena Foshay, Director of Workforce Development for the City of Duluth.  “With more than $1 billion in construction projects breaking ground over the next year, we need to increase and expand the number of individuals prepared for a skilled trade’s career.”

“The demand for skilled trade union workers is higher than ever due to the volume of local work, and the aging labor force reaching retirement,” said Thad Lintula, Lead Instructor at the Carpenters Training Institute.  Union jobs are well-paid jobs with benefits, and apprenticeship offers a low- or no-cost education.

The graduating class includes 6 women, who currently represent just 12% of skilled tradesworkers across the state.  Through this and future training classes, the partners will work together to bring greater diversity to the construction industry.

Graduation takes place at 12:30pm at the Jerry Alander Training Center in Hermantown: 5238 Miller Truck Highway.

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