LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — There's a new push for kids to take an interest in construction. The Southern Nevada Homebuilder’s Association has developed online learning courses aimed at getting Clark County School District students ready for a career in the trades.
It’s all part of its workforce development program. The courses include learning how to use a tape measure, a miter saw and the basics of electrical wiring. The association says about 200 CCSD students have already signed up to take courses. As they go through the curriculum, it wants students to know, they can make a good living building homes.
RELATED STORY: SNHBA raises funds to fight COVID-19
“Starting wage is starting out at around $15 an hour and within the first year, you could be making $20 an hour. We also have the piecework here where people could be making six figures in their first year. It all depends on how much they want to apply themselves and how much they want to learn,” Nat Hodgson, CEO of SNHBA, said.
A recent survey of 18- to 25-year-olds by the National Home Builders Association shows only 3% of them were interested in pursuing a career in construction. The hope is having courses like these and teaching students while they’re still in high school can help change those numbers.
The association says their goal is to get about a thousand CCSD students on board with the program every year.
