The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is working with community college leaders and contractors to bring more women and minorities into the construction industry through its construction academy, tucson.com reports.
Iris Bost, a 2017 construction academy graduate, now teaches safety classes for ADOT at Gila Community College. The college offers hands-on training, which allows students to work at various stations and hone their skills at a variety of trades, including machinery work, wood building and welding.
“As an instructor, I just try to remind my students that I’ve been in their seats, that I know how it is, and that there is a way to further their education if they just give it a chance and take the time to do it,” Bost told the news agency. “I got the building trades and skills that I need to be on the job.”
Programs are tailored to the student’s schedule, preference, and experience level. Sessions range from one week to 16 weeks and are available in the evenings. Each person can choose a specific course, such as mathematics or blueprint reading, to correlate to the job they desire. Graduates receive certifications, which can lead to higher pay, and the personal equipment they need to be successful at their job.
Foster told the news agency that more than 200 women have graduated from the program since it began in 2014. In addition, 301 Native Americans who graduated within the past year were placed directly into jobs.