CLINTWOOD, Va. — Students can get free or low-cost training in skilled trades in Clintwood beginning this August, thanks to a partnership between the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority and Mountain Empire Community College.
The partnership and skilled trades training opportunity are the result of an Appalachian Regional Commission Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) grant, Project Amelioration. The project is a community-partnership program that supports those seeking recovery from substance use disorder by providing career training to help participants re-enter the workforce. Enrollment is open to anyone 17 years old and older; a GED or high school diploma is not required.
MECC’s Project Amelioration will offer Level I Construction beginning August 19, followed by Level I Electrical in January 2025, and finish with Level I Welding in May of 2025. All courses include basic construction from the National Center for Construction and Education Research. Students completing the coursework will earn nationally recognized credentials to include NCCER CORE certification, NCCER Level I Construction, Electrical, and Welding certifications, OSHA 10 certification and CPR/First Aid certification.
In addition, students will receive referrals and access to legal aid services, financial education, life skills training, Moral Reconciliation Therapy , counseling services, social services, and employment assistance.
Project Amelioration classes are 15 weeks each and conducted on Monday-Thursday evenings from 5 to 9:00 p.m., at 818 Happy Valley Drive in Clintwood, Va. The grant provides weekly food and transportation support to students to eliminate barriers to attendance. MECC utilizes state funded grants to pay tuition for qualifying students.
To enroll, participants must complete an MECC Non-Credit Course Application and a Workforce Grant Application which can be emailed to them.
For more information, contact Program Coordinator Stephanie New at (276) 523-9123 or snew@mecc.edu, or Case Manager, Ariel Worley at (276) 523-9154 or aworley@mecc.edu.
