WDBSCW, Partners Honor Graduates of Foundations for the Trades Academy and Area Construction Training Programs

Foundation for the Trades Academy graduation with his certification of completion

MADISON / April 27, 2016—Construction contractors will have more skilled candidates to consider for their available openings and projects this season with more than 30 new graduates of three Dane County area construction training programs. The training programs include Foundations for the Trades Academy, the Bi-Lingual Construction Training Program and Construct-U.

Graduate of Foundations for the Trades Academy, Javon Solis, holding his completion certificate at the graduation event.
Graduate of Foundations for the Trades Academy, Javon Solis, holding his completion certificate at the graduation event.

The graduates were deservedly recognized for their efforts with a graduation ceremony held last night on Madison’s south side. The Workforce Development Board, along with the partners of the Construction Employment Initiative (CEI), including Operation Fresh Start, Urban League of Greater Madison, Construction Training, Inc/START, YWCA and the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, honored the graduates with certificates and recognition for their dedication and success.

Mayor Paul Soglin Speaking at April 26 2016 Foundations for the Trades Academy Graduation
City of Madison Mayor Soglin addresses the construction training program graduates at a joint commencement event on April 26, 2014.

City of Madison Mayor Soglin also offered his congratulations to the graduates during his keynote for the event.

The ceremony was prefaced by a construction-focused hiring fair exclusively for the graduates. Eighteen area construction companies recruited the trainees for positions ranging from laborers to operating engineers. Contractors also had an opportunity to meet with and extend job offers to trainees during a speed-interviewing event held in March 2016. Roughly half of the graduates of the Foundations for the Trades Academy have already been offered employment or apprenticeship opportunities with area contractors with earnings reaching beyond $20.00 per hour.

Construction company recruiter meeting with program graduate at a hiring event prior to the commencement ceremony.
Construction company recruiter meeting with a program graduate at the hiring fair prior to the commencement ceremony on Madison’s south side.

According to CEI data, the programs have graduated 118 individuals since 2015 with employed graduates earning an average of $21.66 per hour.

Partners for the Foundations for the Trades Academy program include Construction Training, Inc.’s START program, Operation Fresh Start, Urban League of Greater Madison, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin and the WorkSmart Network. CEI partners also include the Latino Academy of Workforce Development and the YWCA. Funding sources for programs include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the City of Madison and the Wisconsin Fast Forward initiative.

 

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Contact: Jackie Hall, gro.wcsbdwnull@llahj or 608.249.9001

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