Carpentry Program Returns to WWCC

A new $1.2 million grant awarded to Walla Walla Community College will allow for the construction of a Net Zero Energy home on campus.  The home will be constructed by WWCC’s newly invigorated Carpentry program with assistance from the renowned Energy Systems program.

The funding is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program*, which is co-administered by the Department of Labor and Department of Education. Vice President Joe Biden personally made the announcement of these job-driven training grants from the White House.

Angel Reyna, Dean of Workforce Education, says “We will receive the $1.2 million over the next 3-4 years.  Building a Net Zero Energy home aligns with WWCC’s institutional values of innovation and sustainability.”  Along with equipment and construction materials, it will fund the Carpentry program and faculty and staff in the Energy programs. The grant brings together manufacturing, clean energy and construction partners to create employment opportunities.

WWCC’s Carpentry program will be enrolling students on the Walla Walla campus beginning in Fall 2015.  To get on a waitlist for enrollment in the Carpentry program, call Gwendolyn Dentinger at 524-5189.

*The full national news release regarding the TAACCCT grants is available at: http://m.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/29/fact-sheet-vice-president-biden-announces-recipients-450-million-job-dri . WWCC is a part of the Centralia College consortia.