Carpentry instructor Gerald Porter cuts the ribbon on the carpentry program with help from Kerry Duet, founding member of the Master's Guild of Acadiana (in white), and Dr. Natalie Harder, SLCC Chancellor (in red).
ST. MARTINVILLE – A new program at South Louisiana Community College’s Evangeline Campus in St. Martinville will help fill workforce needs in the construction industry. The college, along with industry partners, cut the ribbon on the campus’ new carpentry program during a ceremony Monday.
“We have been working for the past two years to ensure that our carpentry program meets the industry requirements and provides uniquely skilled workers to our Acadiana companies. We are excited that classes will begin in the next few weeks,” said Jermaine Ford, Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development at SLCC.
The short-term carpentry training program offers two 10-week courses in residential and commercial carpentry. The program leads to rewarding careers in a variety of settings including – framing, roofing, concrete and foundation work, drywall installation, time management, interior and exterior finish carpentry, remodeling and preservation, and site preparation.
The college is working with the Master’s Guild of Acadiana to create internships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities in the carpentry industry.
“Education in the construction community has been lacking over the last decade, to say the least,” said Kerry Duet, founding member of the Master’s Guild of Acadiana. “The positive impact of a strong, skilled workforce trickles down into stabilizing property values for property owners, increasing profits for business owners, and of course more jobs. No local industry is more in need of advancement.”
Carpentry is a non-credit program that is an offering in SLCC’s Corporate College, established in 2015. This division of SLCC offers short-term training for in-demand jobs to meet the needs of the community’s workforce.
For more information about the carpentry program, contact the Corporate College at 337-521-9028 or workforce@solacc.edu.
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ABOUT ACADIANA’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
South Louisiana Community College is a comprehensive community college that operates campuses in Abbeville, Crowley, Franklin, Houma, Lafayette, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, St. Martinville, and Ville Platte. The college serves more than 15,000 students annually and offers an array of academic programs. Students earn associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and industry-based certifications. It is ranked 14th among the Top 100 Associate Degree Producers as determined by Community College Week.