Workforce Development
BIAW's partnership with Perry Tech reaps rewards by Janelle Guthrie Communications Director
Six years ago, Wes Morris, Superintendent & Project Manager for Tri-Ply Construction, struck up a conversation with Perry Technical Institute (PTI) President Christine Coté about workforce development in the Yakima Valley. Little did he know, thanks to support from many fellow builders throughout the Yakima Valley, that conversation would ultimately result in a new construction program at Perry Tech. It’s a program supported generously over the years by both the Central Washington Home Builders Association and the BIAW.
A fast track to skilled trades The Perry Tech Construction program gives students four quarters of hands-on curriculum, allowing them to gain a broad range of construction skills and knowledge so they are ready to hire within a year.
Scholarships and grants make a difference To participate in the Perry Tech Construction program, incoming students pay a little over $20,000 in tuition, fees and course materials. Roughly 65% of them receive some form of financial aid. Foundation Director Tressa Shockley says receiving scholarship support can sometimes make all the difference in a student’s ability to complete their education. “Graduates of our programs have an opportunity to begin a career in an industry they are passionate about with a level of proficiency that will provide them long-term financial independence and stability,” she said.
In July, CWHBA staff Perry Technical students with Everardo Torres at the Perry joined BIAW onsite at the Tech “Win a Home” Raffle home in Yakima. (L-R: Everardo Perry Tech “Win a Home” Torres, Alberto Chavez-Banuelos, Keanen Brewer, Cesar raffle home to deliver Trejo, Pedro Hernandez Linares and Anthony Calderon The scholarship $23,000 in scholarships presentation was a surprise for the Along with building processes, and grants. Nine students received scholarship recipients. Shockley students learn how to use various $2,000 each. Perry Tech received asked students to meet at the tools, select materials, read $5,000 from BIAW to purchase raffle home without explaining blueprints, frame and install siding three new pieces of equipment why. They wouldn’t find out until and work with other interior/ for its Construction program. The BIAW Certification and Education exterior finishes. The courses grant helps Perry Tech keep costs Manager Hillary Vanatta handed combine classroom work with lower so the program remains them a white envelope with their an externship off campus or accessible for its students. BIAW $2,000 checks. completion of a capstone project has provided a total of $35,500 on campus, allowing them to “The recipients of BIAW’s awards in scholarships to students and integrate on-site skills into their shared so much gratitude for the grants directly to the program education. support,” Shockley said. “You could since 2018. 14
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