Nine Graduate from Pacific County Pre-apprenticeship Construction Bootcamp

On Friday, October 8, a group of nine community members graduated from ANEW’s Construction Bootcamp, which was held full-time for four weeks at the Port of Ilwaco in Pacific County beginning on September 13. Graduates received hands-on specific training and earned certifications in OSHA 10, flagging, and forklift, but many of the graduates expressed the greater value of the training: networking, developing soft skills, and getting “back on track.”

Participants included those who were re-entering or new to the workforce, looking for a career change and who have experience in the construction industry but wanted to expand their skills. There was a hiring event held with local businesses immediately preceding the graduation.

This was the second construction-industry Bootcamp held in the Pacific Mountain region, including Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties. The first was held in April 2021 in Lacey with a graduating class of ten. There are plans to replicate this training and opportunity in Grays Harbor in Winter/Spring of 2022.

The Construction Bootcamp was a collaborative effort with PacMtn Workforce Development Council, WorkSource, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Pacific County, Career Path Services, ANEW, Pacific County Economic Development Council, Long Beach Merchants Association, Port of Ilwaco, and the Long Beach Peninsula Visitor’s Bureau with additional support from Olympia Master Builders, the Building Industry Association of Washington, and Adrift Hospitality.

“I would say this class is different than expected, but in the best of ways! Yes, I’d do it again. It has helped me refresh my skills before getting back into the workforce and finding a career. The best part of Bootcamp was the people I’ve met and got to know along the way!” said Graduate, Don Carlson.

“I would definitely recommend this class to anyone and everyone who would like to get out there and have a huge head start on getting into construction,” said Angela Anderson, a Bootcamp graduate.