HELP WANTED: THE TRADES
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By Jodi Nash
aurel Ridge Community College (LRCC) is leading the charge to fill a serious workforce gap. The size and complexity of the construction ecosystem in a digital age has resulted in a critical shortage of skilled trade workers in specialty contracting services, specifically HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, steel/ welding and concrete. With industry experts expecting 33 percent of the specialty contract Photo by Jodi Nash workforce to retire in the next five Now a master plumber, Aidan Gould years, what to do? started his own business, Top Tier LRCC is actively investing in Trades, in 2021. workforce training with the opening of its new 8,000-square foot custom-designed Center for Skilled Trades building on its Fauquier Campus. “We need flexible labs for hands-on learning, hard floors, high ceilings, state of the art ventilation systems, adequate power supply, with multiple outlets and drop cords to accommodate industrial and commercial training ,” said Jeanian Clark, Vice President of Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education. Made possible by Fauquier County’s donation of 62 acres, the secure facility allows LRCC to open the door for trades academy partnerships with Fauquier and Rappahannock County school systems. Hume native Aidan Gould is a prime beneficiary and shining example of LRCC’s “Grow With Us” skilled trades initiative. Graduating from high school in 2014, Aidan, 26, was home schooled, and always knew he wanted to be self-employed. After attaining his associate degree in business at LRCC, while working as an apprentice for Golightly Plumbing for five years, he returned to enroll in LRCC’s Workforce Solutions’ plumbing program, completing all four levels. “They did a good job of teaching us in a hands-on way,” he said. “Both LRCC teachers and Mr. Golightly inspired me….Both employers and customers talk about the difficulty in finding skilled workers…High schools aren’t equipped to provide that kind of hard-skill training.” Now a master plumber, Aidan started his own business, Top Tier Trades in 2021, with two partners. Steve and Reta Rodgers, owners of S. W. Rodgers, Inc. (a full-service site development, heavy highway, and utility contractor) have been part of the blueprint of the Fauquier campus for nearly 30 years. “Their philanthropy is quiet, generous and rooted in deep love for their community,” said Kim Blosser, President of LRCC. They played a significant role in all three new buildings constructed on the campus and their company was a crucial partner in developing LRCC’s groundbreaking heavy equipment operator (HEO) program launched in 2016. LRCC is part of a coordinated Virginia Community College System (VCCS) statewide effort to transform the trades education environment, with the explicit goal of preparing up to 35,000 students for entry into the skilled trades market over the next five years. “Whether a student is starting or enhancing trade skills, the expansion of trades programs on the Fauquier Campus is good news for the home construction industry,” said Laurel Ridge Foundation board member Joel Barkman, founder and President/CEO of Golden Rule Builders in Catlett. He and wife Patricia generously financed the building of a multipurpose conference center on the first floor of Hazel Hall at LRCC. The Fauquier Campus of LRCC is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year and offers more than 75 associate and certificate programs, and some 30 fast track career training programs, LRCC also has guaranteed admission programs with over 30 of the Commonwealth’s colleges and universities. The options are diverse, the leadership dynamic, and faculty staff are passionate. Who could ask for more?
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Details: laurelridge.edu/trades.
Country ZEST & Style | Holiday 2023
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