Submitted by Thurston County Chamber
On March 10, the ANEW Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Education (PACE) program witnessed the remarkable success of five driven graduates who had just completed a rigorous seven-week training. The day was marked by a hiring event that immediately followed the culmination of the training, where the graduates showcased their newly acquired skills to prospective employers. The icing on the cake was the presentation of certificates by Amber McGinnis, ANEW’s program instructor, to each of the graduates.
The impact of this program was acknowledged by Mike Reid, Economic Development Director for the City of Olympia, and David Schaffert, President/CEO of the Thurston County Chamber, who congratulated the graduates and spoke about the positive impact they would have on the City of Olympia. With their newly acquired forklift, OSHA 10, and flaggers certifications, these graduates are now equipped with skills that are highly in demand in the local industry.
Thanks to the generous support of PacMtn Workforce Development Council and leveraged Workforce and Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, many participants are eligible to receive competitive paychecks of $18/hour. This not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication but also ensures that their newfound skills translate into meaningful financial stability.
The Olympia Career Hub, a partnership between the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Olympia, has been instrumental in providing quality skill-up training to workers impacted by COVID-related displacement. With three more construction cohorts scheduled for the year, starting in March, May, and July, more individuals can benefit from this transformative program and be on their way to a promising career.
Currently, there are three more scheduled construction cohorts:
· March 20 – May 5
· May 15 – Jun 13
· Jul 17 – Sept 1
Individuals interested in participating in future cohorts can find out more here.
Or can sign up here.
