Sandhills Workforce Continuing Education department will begin a Construction Academy this summer. This eight-week course will prepare students with skills and certifications to enter into a career in commercial and residential construction.

Students will earn the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Core certification. Basic safety, communication skills, and an introduction to construction drawings are among the topics covered. NCCER has a registry system in which companies can track the qualifications and credentials of potential employees; therefore, certified individuals are highly sought after in this industry.

In addition to the NCCER certification, graduates will be certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with an OSHA 10 certification. Acquiring an OSHA 10 card proves to employers that you have industry-specific knowledge and skills that help prevent injuries and keep workplaces safe and productive.

Not only are students provided ample classroom material, but they will also gain hands-on experience. Throughout the course, students will begin working on a construction project, putting their classroom knowledge to work. Sandhills has partnered with local construction companies to provide job shadowing opportunities one day a week, allowing students real-life experience and the ability to network with potential employers.

The Construction Academy will be held Monday-Thursday, 9 am-4 pm, from June 12 to August 10 at the Breakthrough Construction Center at the Larry R. Caddell Training Center in Carthage.

Carolinas AGC has partnered with 91Ó°ÊÓ to provide reimbursement for students' tuition. Additionally, they will also be giving each student the opportunity to earn a $750 scholarship. To learn more or to register, call Workforce Continuing Education at (910) 695-3980 between 8 am and 5 pm Mondays through Thursdays and 8 am-Noon on Fridays.

Boys & Girls Club

Sandhills is now the location of a new Boys & Girls Club. Summer camp will run June 19 thru August 11 from 7:45 am – 5:45 pm for rising first graders through rising sixth graders. Early drop-off services are available. The cost is $140 per child and covers the entire summer. Registration is open from April 10-14, and you can register your child at sandhillsbgc.org.

In addition, drop-in services will be available free of charge to Sandhills students from 6–9 pm. This is ideal for students taking evening classes, working on group projects, or for other academic reasons. For more information or to register for the drop-in services, contact Edith-Ann Jackson at ejackson@sandhillsbgc.org or 910.638.6502.