LBW taking ‘Little Builders’ to Covington County classrooms

Published 11:00 am Thursday, March 24, 2022

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In anticipation of the release of the new Building Construction Program in fall 2022, LBW Workforce Development and Continuing Education partnered with Construction Ready to offer a “little builders” class with third graders in Covington County.

Construction Ready provides lessons and materials for construction projects through its K-12 Construction Program.

Andrew Meadows assists a student during Tuesday’s “Little Builders” program at Straughn Elementary School. The program is designed to inspire young people and is a precursor to LBW Community College’s kickoff of its Building Construction Program to be offered in the fall of 2022.

Straughn Elementary students in Mrs. Joyce Mitchell’s class enjoyed a live, virtual lesson with contractor and TV host, Kayleen McCabe. Kayleen facilitated a building project and educated students on the building industry.

The next ‘little builders’ course is scheduled for April 12 at Fleeta Junior High.

“Skills development is necessary to become self-sustainable and create economic freedom,” said LBW Director of Workforce Development Chad Sutton.

Sutton added that the program is designed to let students experience hands-on projects relating to the field of construction. “We want to continue to build upon our K-12 partnerships within our service area and develop experiences that engage students at a young age, that will also begin their career exploration and awareness of the opportunities that are available to them.”

A Straughn Elementary School student follows instructions on a building project at SES.

LBW Community College is currently offering an Adult Basic Carpentry Class for non-credit in partnership with the Alabama Home Builders Foundation. “We will be starting construction for credit at LBWCC this coming fall,” Sutton said.

For more information about the Building Construction Program or workforce initiatives, contact csutton@lbwcc.edu.