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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Graduating seniors in Chilton County Schools have a new opportunity this summer for career training in the construction industry.

CCS, the city of Clanton, the Alabama Association of General Contractors and Go Build Alabama are partnering to offer a summer construction program for 12-15 students. The opportunity is open to students in good academic standing within the school system.

CCS Superintendent Corey Clements said the course will cover the basics of the industry building on what is already offered in the LeCroy Career Technical Center construction program. The hands-on course will include how to use basic tools and read a tape measure, OSHA safety regulations, how to flag for water and gas lines as well as electrical wires.

“Just very introductory skills, so that they could go to work in a construction job and be ready to start the first day, knowing what they should,” Clements said.

A unique aspect of the program is students will be paid $15 per hour for class time.

Clements said he is passionate about workforce development “not only preparing our students to go into the workforce, but to be able to work local to keep our best and our brightest here.”

“We want them employed here,” Clements said. “We want to prepare them for the high paying jobs that we offer.”

Exact dates for the six-week course are still being worked on, but Clements said it will begin sometime in June. Classes will meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The course will conclude with interviews with local employers. The hope is that students will be hired directly out of the course.

Clements said there is potential that these opportunities could grow and include other industries, such as a summer diesel mechanic course, in the future.

Those interested in registering for the course should email Clements at hcclements@chiltonboe.com.