Classes & Training Information

Foundations is an exploratory, multi-craft, 16-week pre-apprenticeship program focused on the building trades

The 16-week structure is divided into three phases.  

• Each phase will be 5 weeks/40 hours/10 classes
• All courses will be taught using lectures, discussions, videos, hand-on lab sessions

See phase information below

OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR/AED, and Aeriel Lift training and certifications

Class Nights: 

Tuedays and Thursdays

(Occasional Wednesdays)

Class Times: 

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 

Students should make class a priority, and attend all available classes. Students will receive one “free day” per phase and it should be used strategically

 Students who complete the program successfully will be able to : 

• Summarize their trade job description
• Demonstrate a variety of trade skills used in that specific trade
• Operate effectively tools of the trade
• Acquire a job with in the trade that they have chosen, should jobs be available
• Apply for registered apprenticeship

Instructors: Ally Shaw 

OSHA Instructor: Dillon Isaac 

In Foundations, you will receive instruction in 

• Technical Math 
• Reading
• Success on the Job
• Financial literacy
• Employability 101
• Workplace communication
• Time management
• OSHA 10 

This phase can take place in 2 locations (Portsmouth, and Adams County- depends on enrollment) 

Once the 5 weeks are up in Adams County, they will merge to the Portsmouth OH location for Phase 2

Instructor: Donnie Jenkins

First Aid/CPR: Kera Horsely

You will be given an overview of the construction trade industries as well as the construction process. 

You will cover the following: 

1. Hand and power tools
2. Lift Training
3. Work Processes
4. Lab Project
5. First-Aid/CPR, and AED

Instructors: Multiple

In this final phase, you will delve deeper into the specific trade path you have chosen, learning the fundamental aspects of that trade.

This phase is strictly a hands-on phase, where participants will:

• learn about thier specific trade
• use tools that are specific to that trade
• hands-on projects

To learn more about what each trade with cover see the Trades section below 

Instructor: Keith "Cowboy" Montgomery

Course Description: 

This intensive 40-hour program introduces students to fundamental bricklaying and masonry skills. Through hands-on experience and practical instruction.  The course emphasizes professional workmanship, safety practices, and job site readiness. This comprehensive program provides the foundational skills needed to enter the bricklaying trade, with a strong emphasis on practical application and professional standards. Students will develop both the technical skills and work habits required for success in the masonry field such as:

• Safety
• Tool Indentification
• Introduction to mortor mixing
• Spreading techniques
• Line blicks and line bar usage
• Setting up lines
• Joint application and finishing
• Block laying techniques
• Cutting, pattern creation, and striking
• Tuck pointing techniques
• Brick removal and replacement
• Tool Maintainence
• Clean up proctices, and much more

Instructor: Ryan Middleton

Course Description: 

This course is designed to equip participants with foundational skills needed in the electrical field.  Students will begin with learning how snap circuits operate to build an understanding of circuit configurations, then progress to practical skills. The course also includes general safety measures and training in confined spaces, preparing participants for real-world challenges in electrical setups and maintenance. Participants will learn basics such as: 

• Safety
• Too Identification
• DC Circutry with snap circuts
• AC Circutry
• Confined spcae training
• Fabrication and Conduit bending
• Knots and rigging
• Hoisting and signaling
• Torque application

Instructor: Brooks "Randy" Snyder

Course Description: 

This course is designed to equip participants with foundational skills needed in the Limted Energy field such as: 

• CATb Terminations
• RJ45, keystone jacks and punch panels
• Wire map cables
• Copper termination
• Patch Cables
• POE and switches
• IP addresses, logging into software
• Setting changes
• Cameras and switches
• Navigating computer software and camera programming
• much more

Instructor: Multiple

Course Description: 

This comprehensive 40-hour program provides essential foundational training in plumbing and pipefitting systems. Students will gain hands-on experience with various welding techniques and blueprint reading. The course combines theoretical knowledge with extensive practical application through laboratory activities such as:

• Safety
• Tool identification
• Tool Usage
• Material Usuage and preperation
• Equipment setup
• Basic Welding techniques
• Fitting techniques
• Threading Principles
• Material identification and selection
• Soldering proctices
• Pipe welding practice
• Weld inspection

Instructor: Carl Hileman

Course Description: 

 This comprehensive 40-hour program introduces students to the fundamental skills and knowledge required in the sheet metal trade. The course combines theoretical instruction with hands-on laboratory experience. This program provides comprehensive training in sheet metal fundamentals, preparing students for entry-level positions in the field. Emphasis is placed on hands-on skill development, safety awareness, and professional work practices such as: 

• Safety
• Tool identification and maintenance
• Material Identification
• Basic cutting
• Tool application practice
• Installation fundamentals
• Site preperation
• Marking Guages, Measurments, and Layout Techniques
• Connection methods
• Quality Control and more

Instructor: Mark Norris

Course Description: 

 This comprehensive 40-hour program introduces students to the fundamental skills and knowledge required in the operating engineers trade. The course combines hands-on outdoor labs and equipment fundamentals.  Emphasis is placed on hands-on skill development, safety awareness, and professional work practices such as: 

• Safety
• Euquipment handling and identification
• Equipment setup 
• Grading
• Digging
• Operations
• Distribution
• Skid steer operations
• Tractor operations
• Excavator operations
• much more