Richland introduces construction training program

March 25, 2022 53

DECATUR — As part of its ongoing commitment to develop workforce training options to people in its district, Richland Community College has created the Construction Training Program. William Ditty, the program’s coordinator, is excited to offer this new opportunity.

Ditty is a recent graduate of Richland Community College’s business program. He completed his internship in the Workforce Development Division during the Fall 2021 semester.

Prior to attending Richland, he spent almost 20 years in the Sheet Metal Workers Local 218 where he worked as a journeyman, shop foreman, field foreman, and superintendent.

“The meat of the program will give students the hands-on training in basic carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, concrete forming, and much more to make the graduates more than ready for that entry-level construction job,” said Ditty. “[It] will lead to an awarding and fulfilling career.”

In addition, the training will include instruction in math skills for construction trades, OSHA 10 certification, and hand and power tool safety and usage. Additional skills include the reading of blueprints and scale ruler, and operations of forklift, scissor lift and telescopic boom lifts.

Session information for the Richland Construction Training Program

Anyone interested in the program will need to attend one of four orientation sessions. The first and second sessions will be on Wednesday, Apr. 6 with sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The third and final sessions will then be on Thursday, Apr. 7 with sessions at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Online registration for these orientations is available. Willing registrants can also contact Ditty via email at [email protected]. The program will begin on May 2.

For more local news, follow Heartland Newsfeed on Twitter @HLNF_Bulletin.

Additionally, you can follow Heartland Newsfeed on Facebook and Reddit among other platforms. You can now follow our news updates on Telegram, Flote, and MeWe.

Support independent journalism. Become a patron on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. There are other donor options as well.

Get the latest news updates on our radio network via Spreaker, TuneIn, and other platforms.