Newly trained Marin County construction students are ready for hire
December 10, 2021
Marin County construction companies may soon be competing for a new group of qualified workers, thanks to a tuition-free education program for the Latinx community.
The College of Marin, in partnership with San Rafael-based Canal Alliance and the Marin Builders Association, on Dec. 11 will graduate 18 students, the latest group to earn their construction skills certificate after completing the program.
“Our E2C (education to careers) construction students … have an 87% program success rate, and 70% of them go on to find full-time employment,” said Alina Varona, dean of Career Education & Workforce Development at College of Marin. “Students on average see (an hourly) wage growth from $20.69 to $25.94 after completing the program.”
Canal Alliance checks in with the graduates every six months for two years to make sure their careers are staying on track, Vindel said.
“This is where we see the growth in pay rates, which is really wonderful to see,” she said. “I think the (course) also gives them confidence.”
