After its first online run last month, the Connect2Skills construction job-training program will soon be coming to Stratford to provide students with a mix of online and in-class learning meant to prepare them for a career with a local employer in the construction industry.

Planned to begin on July 26, the program’s second iteration will offer adults in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County who are interested in pursuing a career in construction a chance to obtain the skills, hands-on experience and certifications they need to secure an entry-level position with a local construction employer.

“The first cohort we launched was in Owen Sound, and it went very well,” said Gemma Mendez-Smith, executive director of the Four County Labour Market Planning Board, the organization that oversees the Connect2Skills job-training programs. “We had a huge uptake from people interested in the program … and that was so exciting for us because we know (construction) is a sector that needs people and we saw that people were very excited about the fact this was coming.”

With COVID-19 restrictions still in place when the program began in Owen Sound last month, Mendez-Smith said it was offered entirely online to just 10 students. Of those 10 students, she said eight graduated from the program and now have the opportunity to pursue construction careers with local employers that suit their individual interests.

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