North Bay Construction Corps

North Bay Construction Corps

The North Bay Construction Corps is a basic construction training program for seniors in their last semester of high school. Based on a Boy Scout/Fire Explorer model, students meet once a week to hear from industry professionals on their trade, a basic skill needed in that trade and how safety awareness is incorporated daily. They also meet one Saturday a month to gain industry required certifications such as FirstAid/CPR, forklift and boom lift and personal protective equipment. We celebrate the diversity in our industry, and focus on educating students on the many excellent career opportunities in construction.

The program's reach is four counties - Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake & Napa - all counties who have suffered devastating losses from wildfires over the past three years. We have a lot of work ahead of us to rebuild thousands of structures destroyed by fires. But there is a problem, for every five construction workers retiring, only one replaces them. We need workers, even those who are not looking for a career but are willing to help the community rebuild for just a few years while they save up for college or plan on another career. Our program aims to be part of the solution to our construction workforce crisis.

I am open to other color choices, especially reds and oranges - these are the three that stood out at first glance.