Despite the downturn in construction activity, demand for skilled workers in the construction trades is expected to escalate in the future. For many companies it is difficult to find workers with the skill levels that are needed to replace a rapidly retiring workforce. The construction community has typically looked within – training individual employees and promoting them up the ranks as their skills have developed. Another option is to look towards community colleges, colleges of technology and the military for people who have completed training needed within the construction industry.
In Montana, there are several trade schools – Colleges of Technology in Butte, Helena, Great Falls, Billings and Missoula – as well as 2-year community college programs in Havre, Miles City and Kalispell. These programs are well established and provide an excellent source of highly trained individuals ready to work in the industry. Montana also is home to several tribal colleges, until recently, only one of which offered a program geared towards the construction trades industry.
However, in January, the Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Montana was accepted as a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Training Unit and will align with the Montana Contractors’ Association (MCA) as the Sponsoring agency. The MCA serves as an Accredited Training Sponsor for the NCCER, which provides nationally recognized curricula in many of the trades within the construction and pipeline industries. As the NCCER Sponsor for Montana, the MCA has certified instructors and teachers in private industry, high schools and colleges to utilize the NCCER curricula.
Frederica Lefthand is the Dean of Academics at Little Big Horn College. Although she does not have a background in construction, she recently completed the same NCCER training as her carpentry, welding, electrical and heavy equipment instructors. She explained that it was important to the College to utilize the NCCER curricula as they begin their trades programs.
“We have been working closely with MSU-Billings, and they spoke very highly of the entire program – from the Instructor Certification requirements to the NCCER curricula to both the written and performance tests for each of the trades. Their national certification and portability will ensure that even if our students don’t stay in Montana, they will take their skills with them.”
In addition to the NCCER training, Little Big Horn College is going to ensure all students complete an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety course as well. “We want to send our students out to the workforce being as competitive as possible,” she said. “Plus, we want our students to know that safety is paramount and they are responsible for their safe conduct on a worksite.”
Nearly 500 miles away, on the western side of the state, the Salish-Kootenai College on the Flathead Indian Reservation has been very successful with utilization of the NCCER programs. Salish-Kootenai College established a heavy equipment program several years ago, and found the NCCER modular format to be perfect for the type of training their students need.
“We teach every heavy equipment module from levels one, two, and three to two groups of students over the course of the school year,” said Scott Harmon, Department Head for the Highway Construction Training Program at Salish-Kootenai College. “We are fortunate to have nearly all of the equipment we need, including six heavy equipment simulators, for hands-on training. NCCER training modules complement our training and supply our students with nationally-recognized credentials. Our partnership with the MCA and NCCER has been vital to the success of our program.”
Faculty members with both tribal colleges also work with local contractors, hoping to ensure placement of their graduates. Additionally, both colleges accept applications not only from their respective tribes, but enrollment is open to all applicants regardless of race, religion or creed.
Keith Ouzts is the Training Director for the MCA, and also serves as a Master Trainer for the NCCER. “Workforce development of the construction industry is very important right now,” he said. “With baby boomers retiring at the rate of 90,000 per year, we need to ensure that the workers who replace them have the skills necessary to quickly take their place on a job site. The MCA/NCCER partnership with tribal and community colleges across Montana helps ensure that the younger generation is ready for the challenge.”
For more information on the MCA, NCCER or training programs, contact Keith Ouzts at the MCA, 406-442-4162 or keith@mtagc.org.