Press Release – October 2, 2010

Extreme Makeover Provides Construction Training for High School Students

SEDCOR Construction Alliance (SCA) efforts during the Extreme Makeover project provided over 30 hours of Basic Construction Process training for area high school students. When the very first news of the event came to light, Bob Topping, Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry, Nick Harville, SEDCOR and Rich Duncan, Rich Duncan Construction, Inc. – lead builder on EMO decided that training and skill development through the SCA play a core role in the project.

Connecting regional high schools to the project was a strategy enlisted by the SCA as the means to address this opportunity. A strategy and process to deliver skill related training in close proximity to the EMO was developed. The curriculum and learning process was designed for remote site training that was not only relative, but engaging.
The training plan was reviewed and endorsed by key members of the SCA and Extreme Makeover production staff. Authorization was given for students that completed the 10-hour training to receive a SCA Certificate acknowledging their efforts. The intent of the certificate was to provide participants a competitive advantage over others when seeking employment from a SCA member.

The training focused on three major needs:

• To attract and provide students with the basic knowledge and skills to seek careers in the construction industry.
• Offer area High School students that have limited access to hands on skill development the opportunity to explore, research and practice basic construction processes.
• Deliver a fabricated and assembled product made by high school students participating in training that could be used by the students at the School for the Deaf.

Trish Conlon, from the Mid-Willamette Education Consortium recruited four high schools to participate and prepared them for the training. Training began Labor Day weekend with industry crafts people completing Master trainer certification, and on following days 27 students participated and earned certificates. Buses and transportation were provided by the high schools – Dallas High School, Mt. Angel High School, Silverton High School, and Ocean Dunes High School.

A big thanks to Home Depot who supplied a work area in front of their store, wood and materials for benches to be built for use at the School for the Deaf. Safety was one of the key features of the training with hard hats and safety vests supplied by Dickie Safety Products.

More events of this type are being planned to provide industry related training for area students to increase their visibility into the construction industry.

Call 503-584-7304 for more information.

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