Jamestown expands construction-trades training at JCC and high schools

Jamestown City Council heard a presentation on Monday about two linked construction-trades training programs that city economic development staff and regional partners are running with Jamestown Public Schools and Jamestown Community College.

The programs, organizers said, use grant and ARPA funding to provide hands-on introductory training and employer connections for high-school juniors and seniors as well as older high-school students and adults. "For those who don't know me yet, my name is Aileen Maku. I'm the economic development coordinator with the Department of Development here," Aileen Maku said while introducing the presenters.

The council was told the initiative runs in two tracks: a high-school level program delivered in partnership with Jamestown Public Schools, and a college-level track at JCC that accepts high-school students and adults. "We're excited about it. It's been a really good start," John Gilligan said, describing the partnerships among the Builders Exchange, regional industry partners and JCC.

Program details presented to the council included: - Instructors and curriculum: Organizers said nine instructors teach at the college level and that the courses use NCCER curriculum; students also receive OSHA-10 safety training. Instructors were described as experienced industry professionals. - Student outcomes so far: Two spring cohorts at the high-school level produced 18 students who completed training; presenters said roughly six of those students are pursuing further training or work in the trades. - Capacity and schedule: The JCC construction-technology track has a stated capacity of 12 students for the fall semester and was scheduled to begin on Sept. 16. Presenters said the high-school cohort will resume in January with a third-quarter cohort. - Instructional format: After piloting the spring curriculum, organizers said they reduced classroom-heavy work in favor of more hands-on shop time, and will use JCC's online learning platform to make the course more flexible for students with limited schedules. - Employer engagement: Presenters said local employers have sent employees through the program, have recruited from participants, and are expected to participate in orientation and hiring; organizers invited local businesses to contact the program if they are interested in hiring or teaching.

Presenters asked the council to help spread the word; they noted equipment and tooling are provided and that generous grant funding keeps the program affordable. Council members and staff asked about employer outreach and program fit with local labor needs; presenters said they are already engaging local firms and unions and are tracking student placement into jobs and apprenticeships.

The presentation concluded with organizers encouraging referrals and registrations to fill the fall cohort and with a request for continued promotion of the program in the community.