- Local construction and skilled-trades career opportunities
- Residential, commercial and infrastructure construction sectors
- Entry-level pathways into union and nonunion work
- Apprenticeship and further training opportunities
- Seasonal hiring patterns and employer expectations
- Hiring and onboarding processes
- How safety credentials support access to jobs
Start your Career in Construction and the Skilled Trades
If you enjoy hands-on work and want to explore a career building and maintaining your community, our Construction and Trades Career Foundations Course can help you get started. This tuition-free program introduces students to entry-level opportunities in construction and pathways into the skilled trades.
You will learn what employers expect, explore apprenticeship opportunities, prepare for industry credentials and receive support with your job search.
What’s great about this course?
- Career exploration – Discover opportunities in residential and commercial construction, infrastructure and the skilled trades.
- Industry credentials – Prepare for safety, workplace communication and digital literacy credentials that can strengthen your resume.
- Practical workplace skills – Build your teamwork, communication and digital skills.
- Career connections – Explore local employers, union and nonunion pathways, and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Job search support – Get help with resumes, interviews and connections to potential employers.
- No cost to you – Training is completely tuition-free.
Program Details
- Start Date: March 8, 2027
- Cost: Tuition-free
- Length: 2 weeks
- Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9am to 12pm
- Frequency: Offered twice each year
- Locations: Tacoma, Longview, South Lacey and Union Gap Work Opportunity Centers
- Employer Engagement: The class schedule may occasionally change to accommodate employer engagement opportunities.
What You'll Learn
- Workplace communication
- Leadership and teamwork
- Professional expectations and workplace readiness
- Peace Literacy and constructive communication
- Basic digital skill practice
- Cloud-based document management
- Career interest assessment
- Resume development
- Interview preparation
- Self-directed job-search strategies
- Connections to local employers, unions and public works opportunities
Industry Credentials
Prepare for credentials that can strengthen your resume and support your next steps toward employment. Training includes preparation for:
- OSHA 10-Hour Safety (General Industry)
- Workplace Communication
- Northstar Digital Literacy
Who Is Eligible?
This program is designed for students who:
- Can read, write and speak English at approximately a sixth-grade level
- Can meet the stated physical requirements, including lifting 25–50 pounds and standing for 8–10 hours per day without assistance
- Have basic digital skills
- Are 18 years of age or older
Why Take This Course?
Explore how to turn your interest in hands-on work into a career in construction or the skilled trades. You will learn about local opportunities, understand what employers look for and build skills to help you take the next step toward employment, an apprenticeship or further training.
Have additional questions? Email the Career Hub at careerhub@goodwillwa.org, call 253-573-6508 or complete the form below.