Whatcom County Construction Academy

Time to Say Farewell to 2nd Class

2009-06-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

It was bittersweet yesterday at our end-of-year party....saying good-bye to this class was not easy. This group of kids have so much to be proud of. For me the best part of this particular group was their spirit of teamwork and comraderie, in spite of diverse backgrounds, interests and schools. Isn't that really what defines success? Marshall McBride was awarded AGC's first "Straight to Work" scholarship, which he will use to buy tools or supplies to help him at his job at Western Refinery Services. Billy Managan was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Billy will be attending WSU this fall to major in Construction Management. There were many parents and employers on-hand to celebrate with the kids, but the most touching moment came when the kids gathered to give their superstar mentor and teacher, Ted Goeres a huge hug.

Apply Now for 2009 - 2010 Academy Class

2009-04-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

Applications are now being accepted for students interested in participating in the 2009-10 Construction Academy program. The program is open to all Whatcom County high school juniors and seniors. To learn more about the program and application process, students and parents are encouraged to attend the CCA Information Night being held March 19 from 7-8:00pm at Meridian High School. To learn more about the program, view a program video and download application materials go to: http://www.whatcomtechprep.org/ Click on STUDENT tab and then COMMUNITY CLASSROOM – you will see the CCA program logo. Students can also get information about the CCA program from their high school counselor or Career Center. Many schools are planning their own “CCA info sessions” – ask your counselor if one is being held at your school. If you still have questions about the program, please call Linda Cowan at 752-8409.

Our Kids Win BIG!!!!

2009-02-25T14:48:00.000-08:00

Trevor M. was wrong on his prediction that the Academy kids would not win the Construction Challenge in Seattle (he said they would have fun anyway).....but, win they did!!!!!! The students recently won the first-ever Washington regional Construction Challenge, earning a free trip to the international competition in Tennessee this spring. The competition tested their skills and teamwork in three challenges related to construction and manufacturing. The team consisted of Trevor Mauro (Sehome), Marshall McBride (Meridian), Troy Buist (Lynden), Chris Whitson (Mt. Baker) and Bill Managan (Mt. Baker). They were the only team out of 13 to place in all three challenges. The team proudly credits the whole class for their success......we are so proud of these kids and this tremendous accomplishment.

Academy Kids Are BUSY!!!!

2009-01-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Trevor M. was kind enough to send me a blurb on what the class has been up to lately.....right now the catagory has split up to work on large group projects according to the student's desired trade, occassionally collaborating to complete a job such as the new office for the Bus Garage at Meridian High School; the caprenters (Billy, Trevor and Brittany) are getting very close to finishing the framing for this project, which should be completed in another month. Other students are working on piping for the greenhouse, fixing a wall in the girls lockerroom bathroom and welding projects in the shop.

On another note....Ray Pierce from Diamond B Constructors had the great priviledge to visit the Academy this week. He was impressed to say the least! These kids are motivated, talented and have a great future ahead of them. Ray took the time to talk to the kids about job safety and what to expect on the job site when they start their internships in March.

CELEBRATION AT THE ACADEMY!!!!

2008-10-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we celebrated National Careers in Construction Week at the Construction Academy. School couselors and educators were invited to the Construction Academy for a delicious lunch hosted by the Associated General Contractors. The students and counselors had the opportunity to hear a special success story from Blake Ambler, who now works for Granite Northwest (Wilder). Blake got his start as an Academy kid in Bothell and his first internship was with Wilder on the Everett Station project. Blake continued to work for Wilder after school and in the summer. After high school, Blake went to Washington State University to study Construction Management, working at Wilder in the summer. After college, Blake returned to Wilder where he now mentors new academy students. We also heard from Vicki Pine at Andgar Corporation who shared with us all of the different jobs at her company and all the opportunities that await students that are motivated and interested a great career in construction.

Welcome New Class!!!!

2008-09-30T12:16:00.001-07:00

The Academy is proud to welcome the second class of students back to school. Ted is proud of this years class already and we are only a month into it! The students will be going to their OSHA 10 class on Friday, October 17 where they will learn all about jobsite safety. Also in October, the students will be getting their First Aid/CPR training. Intalco has again generously fitted the students with work boots and we have received another grant from the AGC Education Foundation to support the program.

Join me in wishing Ted and his class a great year full of opportunity and promise......

CCA PROGRAM GOES HIGH TECH

2008-07-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

The Construction Careers Academy has hit the big screen! That's right you can check out our new program video on YOU TUBE by clicking on this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EjdmugJoak.
You can see first hand all the people it took to make this program a success. We hope you like it.

2008-07-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

On May 30, 2008 over 50 students, parents, advisory committee members, and business sponsors attended our first CCA recognition event and end-of-year celebration. Our local AGC (Associated General Contractors) hosted an old fashioned barbecue and students were recognized for their accomplishments. Local contractors donated many great prizes. Instructor, Ted Goeres awarded students their NCCER certificates and recognized students who have completed their OSHA 10 and CSTOP certifications. Two $1,000 scholarships were presented by Bill Quehrn and Audrey Borders of the Building Industry Association to Koji Kuromiya-Parker and Whitney VanWaveren. Koji also received a $500 scholarship from the CCA program. Many people came together to make it a winning year for the first students to complete the program - it was a proud moment for everyone and what a great group of kids. We wish them all the best and hope they find many rewarding opportunities in whatever path they take.

Students Get Gas!!!!

2008-03-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

CCA Students Get Gas!
Construction Academy students were lucky recipients of gas coupons donated by the ConocoPhillips Ferndale Refinery. Kathleen Pennington, ConocoPhillips HR Manager, presented 17 packets of gasoline coupons to Ted Goeres, CCA instructor. Once students have completed their internship placement interview and been hired by the company, they will each receive a $50 packet of gasoline coupons. Ms. Pennington reminded students that having reliable transportation and being to work on time are very important hiring criteria for local employers. ConocoPhillips wants to be sure each student starts their internship experience with a full tank of gas! We'd like to thank ConocoPhillips for their generous donation.

Sheds Nearing Completion!!!

2008-02-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

SHEDS NEARING COMPLETION!!!

The Construction Careers Academy students have been very busy this past month learning how to frame, sheath, floor, truss and roof their sheds. Each team of 4 students is working on a different style shed -- 4 designs are under construction. Each team is adding their own design options to the finished product -- a composite versus shake roof; T-111, batten and hardy plank have been the siding options -- one shed even has a front porch! Border and Sons Quality Roofing provided a roofing demonstration giving students helpful hints to ensure a leak-free end product. Come spring, three of the sheds will be sold to help the program recover the cost of materials and one shed will be auctioned by the BIA with the proceeds going towards a CCA student scholarship. Over the next 4 weeks, students will be preparing for their paid internships through worksite visits, practicing their interview techniques, filling out job applications, and gathering the necessary documents to verify they are job ready.

Construction Academy Start Building!

2007-11-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

The Academy kids are ready to build! FINALLY!!! Students were divided into 4 teams, with each team designing and constructing a different style "shed". As they work on the project, students are integrating skills learned about safety, time management, team member interaction and professionalism in the workplace. One shed will be selected and donated to Whatcom County's annual Home Show sponsored by our local Building Industry Association. The shed will be raffled, with proceeds being used for student scholarships. The other 3 sheds will be sold with funds returned to the program to help purchase building materials for next year's construction project.

2007-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

Wow, the year is wizzing by and so many things are going on.....The kids received a special gift from Intalco - workboots! The vendor came into their classroom during the first couple of weeks of class so they could measure the students feet, and then in October, the students were invited to go out to Intalco for a tour and that is when they also received their shoes. The students are busy right now in the books and are quite anxious to begin building an actual project. Some of the students participated in getting their OSHA 10 certifications. In October, the kids also had an opportunity to get their First Aid certifications. There have been many interesting speakers who have already stopped in, and of course there was the pizza and cupcake party to celebrate National Construction Careers Week on October 19.

Students Prepare for First Day!

2007-09-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Academy Students were treated to jobsite tours on August 6 to see for themselves what it was like to work on an actual construction project. Before the students could even go on the site, they had to be "suited up" with hardhats, safety vests and glasses. After a quick safety briefing, off they went to the sites at the corner of Woburn and Barkley where Tiger Construction and Dawson Construction are working. Students got to see three diffrent projects: a parking garage, a new bank and a mixed use commercial/residential building. Each of the projects was in a different phase of construction. The students had great questions and had the opportunity to meet the Project Supervisors and Dawson Construction's Safety Director.

Welcome Aboard New Instructor!!!

2007-07-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

We finally can take a deep breath of relief because we have found the perfect instructor. His name is Ted Goeres and he comes to us from the other side of the Mountain. His family is relocating to Bellingham and his wife will be the principal at Assumption Catholic School. Welcome to Bellingham Ted - we are happy you are here! Ted brings many years of teaching experience, but he also is a journeyman carpenter and trained under Jim Metz in Mount Vernon. I think he even helped build the Cascade Mall in Burlington. His passion for teaching and his students was clearly evident in his interview. He has a big job this coming school year, but we feel that he is up for the challenge. So Ted, welcome to Meridian High School and get ready to have some fun.

Looking for the Perfect Academy Teacher.....

2007-06-13T12:06:00.001-07:00

We are ready to look for our perfect construction academy instructor. This will be a part time position, but will require a full time passion for the students in the program! The instructor must have a valid Career and Technical Education Trade and Industry certificate from the State of Washington with endorsement in construction trades or the ability to be certified. It would be great if our applicant had actual field experience. The job will require the instructor to teach students how to be good employees including teambuilding, conflict management and accountability. The instructor will also have to nurture and develop relationships with the business community to assist with setting up and monitoring internships. If you know someone or are interested in applying for this position and have further questions, please give Linda Cowan, Whatcom County Tech Prep Director a call and she will be happy to speak to you. You can reach her at 360-752-8458.

Registration Night!!!

2007-05-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hey! It was great to see many of the students and their parents for our first Construction Careers Academy class Registration Night! We have all worked so hard on this whole concept (especially Linda Cowin and Liz Evans) for over 2 years...it is really exciting to see it finally unfold! I can't express enough to the students what a HUGE event this is. There are soooo many jobs out there just waiting to be filled. Trust me...I know! At Andgar, we hire: welders, plumbers, HVAC service technicians, sheet metal workers, estimators, project coordinators, mechanical engineers, metal roofers....the list goes on and on.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS THE BEST!!!

Registration Night!!!

2007-05-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Last night the first group of Whatcom County Construction Academy students arrived for Registration Night at Meridian High School. It was pizza, pop, t-shirts and paperwork....the kids are excited and it will definitely be a year of great opportunities for them. I can already tell that this class is going to be "the best of the best".