PORT ANGELES — Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is hosting a seven-week class designed for young adults to learn the skills necessary for a career in residential construction.
Deadline to register is June 30.
Classes for the 2020 Summer Build Class program will be from July 7 to Aug. 21 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On July 7-8, participants will attend an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction safety class from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the hands-on class kicking off July 9.
Participants must be at least 18 years old by July 7.
Graduating students with 85 percent attendance get to keep provided safety gear and tools.
Registration fee is $25, with program sponsors Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. and Hartnagel Building Supply covering 75 percent of the original $100 registration cost. Scholarships are available.
The class is limited to eight participants.
To enroll or for more information, email info@habitatclallam.org.
The class curriculum covers:
• OSHA construction safety training.
• Proper hand and power tools instruction.
• Proper job-site construction procures and communication.
• How to read house plans.
• Foundation decking.
• Exterior and interior wall framing.
• Setting trusses.
• Building inspection processes.
Possible additional areas of focus include drywall, roofing and siding.
Sponsors include Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co., Hartnagel Building Supply and The Co-Op Farm & Garden.
Christian Curtis, a 2019 Summer Build Class participant, said when he started last year’s program, he was getting extra credits for a business degree, but he changed his major to an Associate of Applied Science (the major for construction) after completing the course.
“This class literally changed the course of my life,” he said. “While in this class, I learned all of the fundamentals of residential home building. I still have a lot to learn, but this class gave me everything I needed to pursue construction as a career.”
Hannah Ulm, another 2019 Summer Build Class program, said she’s working for a general contractor as a “helper” with the intention of getting even more experience so she can start her own business.
Ulm said she also wants to use her construction knowledge to help to rebuild homes and schools for people in need at natural disaster sites.
“I learned tons of stuff that has helped me in my job to this day,” Ulm said.
“I think it’s a great place to start for anyone looking to learn about residential construction,” said fellow 2019 class participant Richard Gallardo.
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Michael Dashiell is the editor of the Sequim Gazette of the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which also is composed of other Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News and Forks Forum. Reach him at editor@sequimgazette.com.
