Eighteen Blinn students receive basic construction safety certificates

Graduates earn their NCCER CORE and can build credentials through other Blinn skilled trades courses

March 2, 2022

The Blinn College District recently recognized 18 students who earned certificates of completion in basic construction safety.

Ernesto Arriaga, Willie Bell, Kody A. Bolls, Erik Campos, John B. Cate, Carson Crockett, Jesus Contreras, Alexander E. Easley, Jameson Jobe, Strickland M. Jobe, Jacob Johnson, Derek B. Kogut, Jacob D. Losack, Andrew L. Meredith, Patrick W. Okeefe, Avery W. Scott, Jacob M. Smith, and Ivan Vega Valdivia completed 72 contact hours to earn their certificates.

Available through Blinn’s Division of Technical and Community Education, this course follows the National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER) curriculum, a nationally recognized curriculum developed by construction CEOs, trade association officials, and academic leaders. The course introduces students to topics including construction site safety, construction math, hand and power tools, construction drawing, basic rigging, communication skills, and guidance on entering the construction workforce.

“These courses equip students with industry recognized credentials that can only improve employment potential,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, Technical Education, and Community Programs. “Employers know Blinn students have the skills and training they value and are consistently seeking out, which is a reputation we are proud of and know benefits the community.”

Upon completion, students earn their NCCER CORE, an industry-recognized credential that is a prerequisite for Level 1 certification in other skilled trades. Students also are taught to follow U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations.

For students interested in continuing their education, additional non-credit courses are available or classes can be applied toward Blinn’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in the skilled trades.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for construction laborers is approximately $17.83 per hour, or $37,080 per year, and employment is expected to grow 7% between 2020 and 2030.

To view course schedules and learn more about Blinn’s non-credit and AAS degree programs, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce .

Students in these programs may be eligible for Duddlesten Foundation scholarships .