By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
FORT CARSON, Colo. - Transitioning Soldiers have more potential career options now that Fort Carson's Career Skills Program has introduced two new industry-specific programs.
The Home Builders Institute (HBI) Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training program is due to hold its first cohort in mid-August at a newly created classroom building on post.
"The construction industry is booming," said Sherry Jenkins, Region
5 Career Skills Program coordinator. "The Home Builders Institute approached us about offering this training. It includes guaranteed employment placement for program graduates and features focused training in the carpentry, tiling, framing, roofing and drywall areas."
HBI veteran instructors will conduct the training and graduates will receive a certification upon graduation. The training program occurs over eight weeks and will be the first offered at the new HBI Training Center on post, building 301. HBI has hired retired Sgt. Maj. Andrew Staats, a 25-year Army career counselor to serve as the program manager.
"I've always had a passion for taking care of Soldiers," he said. "Our lead instructor, Gregory Reeves, has a 35-year history in the construction industry, from building commercial to residen�tial properties and he will provide pre-apprenticeship certification training to the students."
Construction employers are reporting difficulty finding qualified workers at all levels of the industry, including entry-level and semi-skilled craft workers, apprentices, managers and subcontractors, so jobs are readily available, Staats said.
Transitioning Soldiers on active duty must be within 180 days of separation as of the class start date, but the program is also open to honorably discharged veterans and military Family members. The first class start date runs from Aug. 13, 2018 through Nov. 2, 2018, and the deadline to apply is July 30, 2018.
Jenkins said another employer approached the Career Skills Program recently about offering training and guaranteed placement for transitioning Soldiers, veterans and military Family members. As a result, PMG Retool, a local manufacturing company will begin offering MIG Welding training and certification through the Career Skills Program and Pikes Peak Community College beginning July 9, 2018.
The 20-week program includes a combination of classroom and lab training and an internship. Eligible and selected participants will earn an MIG welding certification and work for PMG at various locations. The deadline for applying for the PMG Retool program is June 20, 2018.
Prospective students must sign a PMG conditional employment offer prior to the start of the training and be willing to travel for work upon program completion.
"This training program also offers travel for employees to places where PMG is conducting projects, which includes accommodations and per diem," Jenkins said. "Programs like these are a good fit for transitioning Soldiers because employers are searching for workers who are reliable, hold strong work ethics and are drug-free. So much so, that they're making an effort to train potential employees themselves."
Both are permanent programs that will continue to offer full courses in the future.
For more information about the HBI pre-apprenticeship program or the PMG Retool MIG Welding program contact the Fort Carson Career Skills Program at 526-1195.
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