The NextGen Trades Academy prepares students who may not have the opportunity to go to college for well-paying work in the construction trades. We not only train them, but help graduates of the program find gainful employment (paid apprenticeships), which at the same time helps enlarge the workforce available to local contractors. The introduction from Letitia, below, highlights the program in under two minutes.
Hear the stories of NextGen Trades Academy graduates and the success they found as a result of the program.
Here’s Kerry, talking about her experience with NextGen. She was hired at an engineering firm in 2019 and now, in 2020, works for a home automation company.
Felipe’s vignette tells so much in a short period of time. Here, he speaks about his experience taking NextGen and getting hired right out of high school. Felipe was hired at Summit Technology Group as a solar installer and apprentice electrical technician. He was provided on-the-job education by his new employer.
Our partner contractors and NextGen Trades Academy graduates tell you about their experiences with the program in this 9-minute testimonial. You’ll hear from Jason Krist Electric, Summit-E Technology Group, Myra Millwork and all of the graduates they have hired.
Class Schedule
JUNE 29 – JULY 20, 2024
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5:00pm-7:30pm
Saturdays (virtual): 9:00am – 11:30am
Saturdays (in-person): 9:30am-3:00pm
Cohort 36: June 29th- July 20th -FULL
Cohort 37: Aug 8-22, 2024 – OPEN
Cohort 38: Oct 1 – 22, 2024 – Private Class (Elsie Allen High School)
The NextGen Trades Academy is a program providing diverse vocational construction training and work/life skills to disadvantaged youth ages 16-24 within Sonoma and Marin counties. Throughout the program, each student explores approximately 14 construction trades such as architecture, plumbing, roofing, electrical, green building, solar technology, as well as life skills such as cover letter writing, resume writing, personal finance, budgeting, and job interview coaching. The program integrates technology, classroom instruction, hands-on experience, construction trade research, and CalOSHA certifications.
Our latest offering of the NextGen Trades Academy is an online-only course delivered via interactive video. Mandatory components include OSHA, introduction to construction, financial literacy, and interview skills. Elective components include selecting two or more of our standard offerings for construction trades.
A key element of NextGen Trades Academy is student participation in weekly interactive demonstrations presented by several local professionals to enhance the overall learning experience. Even online, these visual demonstrations and Q&A sessions given by local contractors enhance students’ understanding of construction career opportunities.
Upon completion of NextGen Trades Academy requirements, each program graduate is eligible for paid apprenticeships and employment to help kick off a successful career in the trades. NextGen Trades Academy has a network of professional contractors, each with a high need for new apprentices in construction careers throughout Sonoma and Marin counties and beyond.
Students who graduate from the NextGen Trades Academy have a leg up on their resumes, their ability to find work, and their ability to adapt to a new career.
NextGen Trades Academy graduates have proudly been hired in the following trades: Restoration, roofing, HVAC, contracting, interior design, plumbing, electrical, painting, retail construction, and others. Other students have gone on to study architecture at Santa Rosa Junior College or have enrolled in military construction training.
“I am more observant to what is required to live the standard of life we live in & am less likely to take them for granted. After doing this program I have been given a new truth – there are 14 different trades required to live this way & thousands of people who built it. We must appreciate them for they built our lives to be better, cleaner & safer.”
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