Plumbers and electricians wanted. Manatee Technical College offering free courses to meet industry demand | From the Bradenton Herald
BRADENTON
Students interested in enrolling in tuition-free plumbing and electrician courses at Manatee Technical College can attend an information session on the courses at the college campus on Thursday evening.
Both of the courses have tuition-free spots for 15 students, and students can earn a national certification in plumbing or electricity, OSHA 10-hour construction certification, and certifications in CPR and forklift. They will also earn a certificate of completion for the first occupational completion point (OCP-A) in the plumbing or electrician program.
MTC is running the programs in conjunction with CareerEdge, a workforce development organization, and organizers say employers want to hire program graduates for positions paying $12 to $14 an hour.
“Occupations such as plumber and electrician provide solid, family-sustaining wages,” said Deborah Chapman, program director of the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. “CareerEdge is excited to be partnering with MTC to offer these express courses that will allow individuals the opportunity to fast track into these high-demand jobs.”
Martha Meyers, business and industry services specialist with MTC, said a labor shortage is causing delays in construction projects in the area, and the class is designed to help fill the gap in the labor pool.
Interested students should bring their photo ID to the information session, which will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at 6305 State Road 70 E. in Bradenton.
For more information, visit manateetech.edu/express/, call 941-751-7900, ext. 1022, or email Martha Meyers at meyersm@manateeschools.net.
