By the Gazette-Times | Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2009 12:00 am
Corvallis students interested in the construction trades might have a chance to get a leg up on other workers in a proposed training program this spring.
The program is being funded by a Learn and Serve grant from the Oregon Department of Education and was developed with the help of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. School and labor officials will hold an information meeting Tuesday to gauge interest and provide more information.
Any student 16 to 18 years old attending Corvallis High School, Crescent Valley High School or the College Hill alternative high school program is eligible to participate in the training. Home-schooled students also are eligible.
An application and letter of recommendation are due by Jan. 23. Then, prospective students will be interviewed before being accepted into the classes scheduled to begin in March and May.
Training will take place at the Oregon and Southern Idaho Laborers-Employers Training Center in Adair Village. The Adair center is located on land deeded to the laborer's trade association from the Air Force in 1973.
The center is typically busy with apprentices learning pipe-laying, concrete-pouring and finishing, demolition and site-grading skills. The high-schoolers will focus on the math, science and reading skills required for construction work.
The district hopes to enroll at least 20 students in the pilot program. If accepted, participants will spend two weeks at the Adair Village training facility.
If you go
What: An information meeting for parents and students about a pre-apprenticeship program.
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13
Where: Corvallis High School
More info: Paul Joiner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and Al DeVita, manager of the Adair Village Laborers Center, will be on hand to describe the class and answer questions. The deadline for applying to the program is Jan. 23.