South Mountain Community College recently received a grant intended to expand the capacity of the college’s Construction Trades Institute (CTI) and strengthen the workforce training pathways aligned with Arizona’s growing demand for skilled construction professionals.
With this grant, SMCC will support a full-time electrical faculty position for one year who will teach advanced coursework and assist in second-level commercial and industrial electrical training.
The funding will also help sustain the adjunct faculty support within the carpentry and electrical pathways offered through the Early College’s Achieving a College Education (ACE) program, ultimately creating greater opportunities and access for the high school students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
These programs have created clear pathways for students entering the workforce, which has been further demonstrated through SMCC’s partnership with Sundt Construction who sponsors the college’s pre-apprenticeship program through the Arizona Department of Labor. This model has been a key component of CTI as it provides college credit and advanced training for Sundt employees while also creating a direct pipeline for Sundt to actively recruit SMCC students.
SMCC will also have the opportunity to purchase new instructional equipment, which will further enhance hands-on training for students through current industry practices and tools. This includes rigging gear, hand tools, welding equipment, drill presses and personal protective equipment that will support both the existing electrical program and the launch of a new ironworking pathway.
“The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation's support has enabled South Mountain Community College's Construction Trades Institute to expand workforce training, strengthen partnerships with industry leaders and develop new pathways in advanced electrical and ironworking that will benefit our students and Arizona's economy for years to come,” said Dr. Travis May, SMCC’s Associate Vice President of Workforce Strategies and External Relations.
The grant will not only broaden opportunities for current students, but it will also help lay the groundwork for the success of future CTI students and their career development. Construction trades programs at SMCC have already seen significant growth since they launched just over four years ago. From just a handful of students, to now having over 530 students participate in one of our CTI programs.
“This investment is about more than building programs, it is about creating opportunities,” said Dr. May. “Through these efforts, we are preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals and helping build the workforce that will drive Arizona's future.”