Tuition-free express classes at MTC

(Bradenton, FL—June 9, 2017) Manatee Technical College in partnership with CareerEdge will offer Express Classes in Plumbing and Electrician that will be tuition free for 15 individuals in each program. The information session to learn more about this opportunity will be at MTC at 6:00 p.m. on June 15.

“The construction trades are experiencing a severe shortage in skilled workers which is only going to increase with anticipated retirements,” said Deborah Chapman, program director of the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative.

“Occupations such as Plumber and Electrician provide solid, family-sustaining wages,” she said. “CareerEdge is excited to be partnering with MTC to offer these express courses that will allow individuals the opportunity to fast track into these high demand jobs.”

According to Martha Meyers, business and industry services specialist with MTC, the Gulf Coast Builders Xchange has members ready to pay $12-14 per hour to the Express Class completers. She said the express class is needed because “projects are behind schedule because of the labor shortage.”

The three-month Express Classes will start at the beginning of August. The classes are limited to 15 students each. Students must be 18 years of age or older.

Participants will have the opportunity to earn a national certification in plumbing or electricity, OSHA 10-hour construction certification, and certifications in CPR and Forklift. They will also earn a certificate of completion for the first occupational completion point (OCP-A) in the plumbing or electrician program.

Prior to acceptance, participants will be required to complete a drug test and the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and go through an interview process.

Interested persons will need to bring their driver’s license or Florida ID to the information session on June 15.

For more information, visit http://manateetech.edu/express/ or call or send an email to Martha Meyers at 941.751.7900 x 1022 or meyersm@manateeschools.net. MTC is located at 6305 E. State Road 70 in Bradenton.

About Manatee Technical College
Manatee Technical College is a postsecondary career and technical education center with four campuses within the School District of Manatee County offering over 50 career preparation programs, continuing education, adult general education, and personal enrichment classes. Manatee Technical College is fully accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The mission of MTC is to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities and the workforce by producing highly skilled individuals and resourceful leaders through collaborative education.
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