From East Central College:

In 2025, East Central College’s Adult Education program launched a new program to prepare adults for entry-level construction careers through hands-on training, earning participants nationally recognized certification. Students do not have to have a high school equivalency to take the course, but most already have their high school diploma. 

Thanks to a partnership with the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), ECC is offering NCCER Core: Introduction to Basic Construction Skills. The course was created with a Lowe’s Foundation grant that provided $20,000 in startup resources for each of 25 programs nationwide.

ECC’s program focuses on construction and carpentry fundamentals, including safety, hand and power tools, construction math, blueprint reading, materials handling, and employability skills. Students earn OSHA-10 and CPR/First Aid certification and also complete a capstone carpentry project.

“For some entry-level workers, traveling to St. Louis for training and job opportunities just isn’t feasible,” she explained. “We wanted to bring the training to our communities, where people live and work.” This fast-track training initiative supports workforce development efforts by offering practical education and direct pathways into high-demand, sustainable careers in the skilled trades. Students may also co-enroll in the high school equivalency classes already offered by the program.