Six Month Carpentry Course To Be Offered

November 28, 2014

Woodworks Carpentry Training Centre announced that they will soon launch a new 6 month carpentry course for those seeking careers in the construction and woodworking fields.

Project Manager Kristin White, explains, “Woodworks was pleased to be able to reopen earlier this year and host weekend and evening DIY classes and a youth summer camp. However, our primary goal is to offer courses for job-seekers.”

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Ms White continued, “We had planned to offer a 2-year certification course, but found that applicants were looking for a shorter option, something that would allow them to receive a firm foundation in basic carpentry and immediately enter the workforce.

“Also, most could not afford the certification tuition, and while we did a few classes for free, we knew this was not sustainable, so needed to pursue a different direction.”

Woodworks Founder Alma Hunt and Instructor Quinton Burrows have developed a new dynamic programme, a 6-month course that will cover many topics including blueprint reading, cabinet making, roofing, furniture design and will also include lessons in entrepreneurship.

“Students who complete the 6 month course will be well-placed to enter directly into the construction field and develop wood products to sell. We are also exploring a partnership with Bermuda College for students who decide they want to pursue their carpentry certification or perhaps take more business classes,” added Ms White.

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The 3 day a week course will commence in January 2015, and is being supported by The Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Fidelity International, and the school overall has been supported by BLDC, The Department of Workforce Development and TOPS.

“We are so grateful for these organisations’ support, which ensures that we are able to offer this incredible learning opportunity for an extremely low tuition of only $200/month. The course will be held at our Southside workshop, three days a week, and students will also have weekend access to continue working on their projects,” added Ms White.

Woodworks has only 12 spaces for the course, so those that are interested should contact Woodworks and make plans to attend an open house info session on December 6 at 10am or December 13 at 4pm.

Woodworks will continue offering evening and weekend classes for youth and adults. The goal for these classes is to create revenue to support the school overall, as well as promote principals of self-sufficiency and sustainability.

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Ms. White concludes, “I first visited Woodworks in Summer 2013 and was amazed by their incredible facility, passionate and talented instructors, but also confused about why the space wasn’t being fully used and supported. The space had so much potential and yet they were on the verge of closing down! Since then I’ve been providing them with pro bono project management, and am excited to be part of a space that is providing skills training and focusing on job creation when it is so needed. I really hope the community embraces the training centre, signs up for courses, and helps keep this hub for learning and entrepreneurship alive.”

Please contact Woodworks at woodworksbda@gmail.com or 335.2234 [Alma Hunt] or 705.1838 [Kristin White] to receive an application form for this course, and to find out more about their youth and adult classes.

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Woodworks is part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative [YEI], local registered charity #616. Anyone interested in supporting Woodworks can do so via a donation to YEI, HSBC 010-831055-001, or by contacting Woodworks.

Woodworks is also looking for donations of new lumber and tools and while they are hoping to be able to soon work with reclaimed wood, they currently do not have the storage space, so cannot yet accept any.

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Comments (7)

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  1. Serious Though says:

    Great job!

  2. bluebird says:

    Government “TAKE” some funds from the Education Department,
    as $Millions are being wasted,and fund this “NEEDED” Project.

    • Kunta says:

      Government don’t want no interest in that, then they would have to hire Bermudians.

  3. Dangel says:

    A great initiative Alma as we need skilled tradesmen! Men and even women if interested please support this Woodworks Carpentry Training Centre. The corporate sponsorship is in place so let’s make it happen Bermuda!!!

  4. Joan Cabral says:

    Geometry lessons VERY important too.

  5. bluebird says:

    @kunta,
    where are the 10,000 Bermudians to fill the “JOBS” that are filled by expats now.?????