Fort Benning Career Skills Program reaches new heights

By Ms. Cristina Piosa (Benning)August 3, 2018

Selfie with mannequin
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - Charles Williams, Fort Benning Army Education Center, takes a selfie with a tower rigged mannequin. The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course in the burgeoning field of renewable energy for ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mannequin in foreground, training supervisor in background
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - Felix Cruz, training supervisor, talks about a new career skills program. The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course in the burgeoning field of renewable energy for transitioning Soldiers and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ceremonial cut
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning Command Sgt. Maj. Connie Rounds; Dave Schulgen, CEO and assistant chairman of Airstreams Renewables; George Steuber, USAG Fort Benning deputy to the commander; and Felix Cruz, trainin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Knot your typical career skills program
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - Charles Williams and Ralf Bremer observe the various knot-tying techniques at the Airstream Renewables career skills program ribbon-cutting event. The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Group photo
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - Staff, students and guests pose for a photo following a ribbon-cutting event. The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course in the burgeoning field of renewable energy for transitioning Soldiers... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Desktop layout
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) - Staff laid out materials on desks in preparation for the new classes. The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course in the burgeoning field of renewable energy for transitioning Soldiers and vet... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 3, 2018) -- The Fort Benning Career Skills Program (CSP) launched a new course for transitioning Soldiers and veterans with a ribbon-cutting event at Kelley Hill at Fort Benning, Georgia, July 30.

The program is called Renewable Energy and Communications Tower Technician Program in partnership with Airstreams Renewables Inc., and it is a 28-day course that offers complete modules designed to prepare each student for an entry-level position in communication towers, wind energy and other alternative energy industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth is slated for as high as 108 percent through 2024 for wind technician jobs.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate receives 10 certificates, as well as assistance in resume writing and interviews with several industry partners.

"We started out transitioning civilians to Soldiers; now we want to transition these experienced Soldiers to be civilians again with good paying jobs" said guest speaker George Steuber, the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning deputy garrison commander. "We're going to make sure that when you go on and you are done with your active-duty career that there is another career out there that is equally competitive and productive in the civilian economy."

Airstreams Renewables became part of an official Fort Benning CSP in May 2018, making Fort Benning its seventh location in the United States. This program is now the fourth active CSP at Fort Benning that offers vocational and technical training programs that focus on the practical application of learned skills and can lead to competitive employment in a specific career or technical trade.

"Our goal is to see our students, transitioning Soldiers and veterans, receive 100 percent job placement" said Rick Walls, a Fort Benning Airstreams Renewables training specialist and Army veteran. "Fort Benning Soldiers have what it takes to get there."

Soldiers can speak directly with an Airstreams Renewables representative at the Wednesday Weekly Connection Event at the Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program at 8150 Marne Road, Bldg. 9230. Additional information may be obtained by attending the Fort Benning CSP briefings held in the same building every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

To learn more, call 706-545-2831.

Related Links:

Benning News on the Army News Service

Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program at Fort Benning

VIDEO: Fort Benning Career Skills Program reaches new heights