Students earn valuable construction skills credentials through Blinn’s Integrated Education and Training Program

Twenty-two students recently received certificates of completion in the fundamentals of construction

June 8, 2021

The Blinn College District recently recognized 22 students who gained in-demand training in the fundamentals of construction with certificates of completion. Available through the Blinn College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program as an integrated education and training opportunity, the course provides real-world, hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in the construction field.

Brianna N. Blake, Tanaka N. Bolden, Thomas M. Cariss, Casey Connor, Matthew D. Cook, Timothy W. Corll, Robbin E. Crawford, Kenneth R. Dawson, Richard Dericardo, Paul E. Dobbs, Ernest Galvan, Marcus D. Jones, Stefan J. Jones, Mark W. Konecny, Kenneth C. McIntyre, Richard K. Parkinson, Maria S. Prado, Calvin B. Prosper, Ralph W. Spight, Aaron E. Stanton, Quintina L. Walton, and Tara A. Walton completed 80 contact hours to earn their certificates.

Some students received support for the course through a grant from Bryan’s Unity Partners DBA Project Unity, an organization focused on eliminating poverty in the Brazos Valley and empowering children, families, and individuals to reach their highest potential.

Blinn’s AEL Program is funded by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, but also has partnered with Project Unity, TEEX, and the Brazos County Detention Center to increase opportunities for adult learners to transition to postsecondary education, training, and/or employment.

“The construction industry in the Brazos Valley continues to surge and these students enter the workforce with specific skills and knowledge that make them stand out from other candidates and have greater earning power,” said Karla Flanagan, Dean of the Division of Technical and Community Education. “Blinn is passionate about providing workforce training to our community and this program serves the regional and statewide demand.”

Fundamentals of Construction follows the National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER) curriculum, a nationally recognized curriculum developed by construction CEOs, trade association officials, and academic leaders. The course introduces students to the different construction trades, including applied construction math; work with various types of materials, fasteners, and common carpentry tools; carpentry drawings; and floor, wall, joist, and roofing systems. Students also are taught to follow U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations. When the course concludes, students enter the workforce with job-specific skills and two industry-recognized credentials in-hand, NCCER CORE and OSHA 10.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for construction laborers is approximately $17.83 per hour, or $37,080 per year, and employment is expected to grow 5% between 2019 and 2029.