Free jobs courses are popular choice at TCC

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

Getting the word out about free construction training wasn’t that hard, as NinaFe Giron-Awong came to find out. 

Giron-Awong, Director of Special Projects and Innovations at Tallahassee Community College, was browsing social media when she realized how much the program resonated in the short time it was announced.

“It blew up,” she said. “I was not expecting it. We are getting an overwhelming response to our program.”

And, for a lot of good reasons. Participants could get certified within eight to 18 weeks, depending on the job. Most of the jobs in construction pay high salaries, and there is a demand for skilled workers in the field.

TCC has been offering the free courses through a four-year grant from Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program. TCC has it locked in until 2025.

Residents of Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla counties and portions of South Georgia, could participate in the program. Other criteria include being at least 18 years old and having authorization to work in the United States. Proof of identity and documentation of low to moderate-income are also required.

The idea behind the free training is to prepare a workforce that could help in rebuilding following a hurricane or similarly devastating disasters. Hurricane Michael, which caused damage throughout the state to the tune of $18.4 billion in 2018, was the impetus for the grant that is administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity.

The training includes a four-part construction technologies course. Some of the others are unmanned vehicular systems (drones), tractor trailer truck driving, introduction to electrical, welding and HVAC.

Prior to the free courses, students recognized the high-paying jobs like welding and electrical, said John Parker, program manager for the building where many of the classes are taught.

Welding is especially popular, he said, noting that it was his career choice.

“It changed my life dramatically as far as the amount of money I was able to earn,” Parker said.

Dillon Good, a student who is using his military benefits to pay for a course in welding, said he isn’t surprised to know that the course is popular. He will test his certification immediately after completing the course, Good said.

“Even growing up I heard people talking about welders are needed,” he said. “I had a cousin who did it 10 years ago and it seems like demand has only increased.”

Participants who successfully complete the TCC courses will be certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research. TCC will assist participants in getting their first job, said Shelly Bell, Vice President of Workforce Development.

“We need to make sure that we have a resilient workforce that, should this happen again, we have a workforce that is willing and able to go in and fill a lot of the needs that we have in construction,” Bell said.

While the shortage of construction workers in certain areas became obvious after Hurricane Michael, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the need. In part, the shortage was also created as individuals shifted careers to work at home.

“We needed people in the construction trade prior to COVID (but) we need them more after COVID,” Bell said. “We have got to make sure that the people in our community have the skills necessary to help themselves, their families and to make sure if another disaster event occurs they can continue to work.”

The free job training is coming at a time when a growing number of high school graduates are debating taking vocational course toward a career or attend college for two to four years.  School age young people have been encouraged with events like World or Work, which took place on TCC’s campus for the first time last fall.

World of Work is an expo-like event that exposes high school students to a multitude of career opportunities. 

“What we like about World of Work is that it allows you to test drive different jobs, different career,” said Giron-Awong. “When you are ready to make that decision, you’ve already had that opportunity and been exposed to different careers to make a better choice.”

Exposure to vocational programs is seeing a little resurgence. In fact, students are getting exposed before high school through programs like the construction course offered at Raa Middle School in Tallahassee.

Programs like those are helping students to realize there isn’t a “one size fits all” way for them to choose a career, said Bell.

“There are different pathways that lead to success; whether it’s a welding program or getting a bachelor degree to be a teacher,” Bell said. “We have to make sure that the young people that are sitting in our elementary, middle and high schools understand what those paths look like.”