BULLHEAD CITY – Tristate residents have the opportunity to learn skills that will help them enter the residential construction industry, thanks to new Carpentry classes at Mohave Community College.
There is still space available for two Carpentry orientation meetings scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 at the Bullhead City campus in room 506. The first meeting starts at 11:00 a.m. and the second starts at 5:00 p.m.
“Our regional workforce is in dire need of qualified carpenters and we’ve been working with industry leaders to address the need by creating this course to teach skills that are in high demand,” said Jason Gee, dean of the college Career and Technical Education division.
The Introduction to Carpentry classes begin March 20 and will address the essentials of construction site safety, proper use of hand and power tools, framing, flooring, roofing, and drywall.
Carpentry Instructor Dan Underwood has nearly 50 years of experience in the construction industry, during which time he amassed a portfolio of projects that includes dozens of residential homes, a 40-unit condominium complex, a country club renovation and much more.
“It will be our goal for students who successfully complete this program to be eligible apprentices with journeyman-level skills,” said Underwood. “Students graduating from this program will be skilled, will be productive on day one of the job, and will be in high-demand in the industry.”
As Mohave County communities have become a destination, obtaining affordable housing has become a challenge. In 2020, the median household income of Mohave County households was $47,686, and median home prices have surged to $240,000 or more across the county. The availability of affordable single-family homes and multi-family apartments in the county further compounds the challenge, resulting in a need for more affordable housing options.
Through the development of new partnerships with state and local agencies, non-profits, city and county governments, MCC created the Introduction to Carpentry course to help in a broader effort to alleviate the lack of affordable housing throughout the county.
The College CTE Division and Corporate Training Office have partnered with ARIZONA@WORK and other workforce partners to offer NCCER-approved curriculum of the basic skills necessary to work in the construction industry.
Those who attend the orientation meeting will also have the opportunity to find out if they qualify for partial or full tuition through ARIZONA@WORK for the Carpentry course.
WHAT: Introduction to Carpentry Orientation Meeting
WHY: Learn about the Introduction to Carpentry classes, tuition assistance, how to sign up and meet Instructor Dan Underwood
WHEN: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
11:00 a.m. – Noon AND 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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