SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new trade school is now open in Sacramento that provides free training in construction.
BuildStrong Academy offers a 12-week training course with hands-on training in carpentry and building. The location on Tech Center Drive is their first in California.
The goal is to train more skilled laborers and help them get entry-level jobs.
Program operators tell ABC10 some graduates of the program's soft opening have already obtained jobs in the industry.
"Framing walls, hammering, everything, learning how to use tools," said Kyle Carney, from Antelope, who is taking the course.
He is hoping to take the skills he learns there to work in construction, doing jobs such as framing, roofing or electrical work.
"It's really good money doing this and also they have a need. They need people like us to learn this and go out and build homes," he said.
Program operators said the need is great, as the industry faces a shortage of construction workers to building homes.
"400,000 empty jobs in the industry today and we have open arms to diversify our industry, so men and women and people of color, opportunities are endless," said Ed Brady, the CEO/President of the Home Builders Institute.
The training program is run by the Home Builders Institute and North State Building Industry Foundation.
"The more people we get to build homes here, the more homes we can build," said Jennifer Poff, executive director of North State Building Industry Foundation.
The free classes are funded by donors, including the Home Depot Foundation.
In addition to construction training, the academy also pairs students with a career coach to help them apply for jobs.
"Our son came along with us and we both became graduates and our son is actually working in the industry as of a week ago through the program," said Qutoni Milikini, a recent program graduate.
For more information about the program, click here or email SacramentoAcademy@hbi.org.
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