In partnership with local businesses and with the support of the Owensboro Homebuilder’s Association, Owensboro Community & Technical College is bringing work-and-learn to the construction field with the FastTrack Construction program.
Stepping beyond traditional lecture/lab instructional models, this program offers hands-on, project-based training in a real-world, industry environment. It is structured so the students can work during the day and attend college four evenings a week.
Free student information sessions will be held today and Dec. 15, at 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. at OCTC’s Downtown Campus at 1501 Frederica St.
A maximum of 16 students will be selected for the cohort, and the college will provide some placement assistance to those students not currently working in the field.
OCTC Chief Institutional Officer Mike Rodgers said there is room for more employers to get involved.
“Mentoring is a huge part of the program and a strong mentor-student relationship only increases a student’s confidence and knowledge base,” he said. “Ultimately this is about student success. We have bundled courses each semester that lead to industry-recognized certificates to make it possible for students to quickly earn credentials that can be used in the workplace for advancement.”
Students will be required to successfully complete at least 70% of program competencies and maintain a 90% attendance rate to be successful. They will “clock in” for class, just as employees do in a real work setting, reinforcing employer expectations.
Students successfully completing the program can earn up to seven certificates: Basic Carpenter, Carpenter Helper, Residential Site Layout Assistant, Rough Carpenter, Residential Roofer, Residential Carpenter, and Dry Waller.
Interested students need only attend one session, please park in the back lot, and enter through the closest door. Healthy check-ins, face coverings and social distancing will be implemented. Faculty and admissions staff will be on hand to tour the lab and answer questions.
The FastTrack Construction program is taking applications for students to begin in January. For more information about the program or to become an employer partner, please contact Ceary Thomas at [email protected] or call 270-686-4623.
