Trades Education Program
Upcoming Courses
About
Current Courses
Past Courses
Upcoming
We have several programs starting up soon! See below for details and registration information.
- Work as a Construction Trainer, 6/22/21
- Contracts for Contractors, 6/23/21
- Woodworking Basics, 7/7/21 – 7/28/21
- Youth Trades, ongoing
- Orther Trades Related Programs
- In Development
Work as a Construction Trainer, June 22, 2021
Are you interested in building the next generation of tradespeople? Rich Jones, Co-Owner/Training Director of South Sound Residential LLC, and Al Audette, Education and Workforce Development Director at the BIAW, will speak with attendees about how to get started and thrive in a career training workers in the construction and building trades. The seminar is Tuesday June 22nd at 5:00PM.
Trainers are needed to support businesses’ workforce development needs in the construction industry. Attendees will learn about the market for construction trainers, opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship, and requirements to be a trainer. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions.
Event is 5:00 to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22nd. Event will be over Zoom. Click HERE to register.
Contracts for Contractors, June 23, 2021
For details, please see our Workshops page.
Woodworking Basics
Islanders seeking new careers are invited to learn Woodworking Basics in a free class offered by the Economic Development Council (EDC). Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren, cabinetmakers, will be teaching an introduction to woodworking.
When:
July 7th through 28th, on Wednesday evenings, at 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Where:
The Fellow Shop, 322 Daniel Ln. Unit B, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
Application process:
- Deadline: June 30, 2021.
- Enrollment is capped at 7 students.
- Applicants must be 18 or over.
- Applicants must be San Juan County residents.
- To apply:
- Fill out the application form and send to mickey@sanjuansedc.org.
- Pay the reimbursable $50 registration fee by credit card (using the payment button below) or by check. Fee is reimbursable upon request after successful course completion OR if the applicant is not admitted to the course.
Instructors Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren have BFAs in Woodworking and Furniture Design from Rochester University, and extensive professional experience as cabinetmakers, boat builders, and finishers.
This course is intended to help people gain job skills and obtain economic stability. This course will teach tool use and safety, among other woodworking skills. These skills are foundational for those seeking to enter many trades, from construction to furniture making.
This program will be free, except for a reimbursable application fee, and is open to San Juan County residents who plan to use woodworking skills for paying work.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate that the course will help them enter a new career or seek employment.
To learn more, contact the EDC at mickey@sanjuansedc.org.
This course is made possible by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, San Juan County, the Harvest Foundation, and other funders of the EDC’s Trades Training Initiative, including the United Way of San Juan County, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Washington State Dept. of Commerce, and other donors. To support EDC trades programs, please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/donate.
Youth Trades
The Economic Development Council (EDC), in partnership with WSU Extension’s San Juan County 4-H program, is creating activities for children to introduce them to trades. These activities are offered through the 4-H program. For more information, click here.
Related Programs
While we are limited to socially distanced activities, we have created a series of Trades Talks to help people learn about trades careers and training pathways. We have a library of recorded presentations and interviews.
We have also begun a series of activities to encourage the development of a makerspace system that can support innovation, entrepreneurship, and education in San Juan County.
In Development
We are putting together socially-distanced programs for 2021 which will meet critical needs in our community. Specific program offerings are dependent on availability of funding, instructors, and safe venues. We need your support to make these programs a reality! Please contact us: 360-378-2906 to find out more.
Courses we are working on organizing for 2021 include:
- Home Care Aide training (online, except for testing)
- Carpentry Basics (in person)
- OSHA safety training
- Fiberoptics/Low Voltage Electrical
- Tree Work/Forestry.
- Construction Workshops
Our Spring 2020 plumbing course will resume as soon as it is safe and practical.
Plumbing Basics, San Juan Island, March 3rd 2020 – April 2nd, 2020
Our Spring 2020 plumbing course will resume as soon as it is safe and practical.
The Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer free training in plumbing basics this March, in partnership with the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Raynier Foundation, the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Islanders Bank, and Friday Harbor High School.
The course will be taught at the Friday Harbor High School STEM Center by Brent Huntington. The program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local plumbing companies in need of skilled employees. The hands-on curriculum has been designed for young people and career changers, and will include career information, tool usage, standard plumbing code, safety, and more. In addition, up to two students will be assisted in placement with a local plumbing company. This class is free to residents of San Juan County, but space is limited and requires pre-registration as well as a filing fee of $10.
About
Since 2017 we have organized well-attended, well-received courses on construction, electrical, fiber optics/internet, plumbing, welding, and HVAC trades. To ensure that all county residents have access to these programs, we host them on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands. Community support of the initiative has been strong, through the financial and volunteer participation of dozens of organizations and businesses, and our high schools.
The Trades Training Initiative has transformed the lives of scores of islanders, many of whom have been hired into these trades after finishing the program. After training, the EDC works with area businesses to place newly trained islanders into high-wage jobs, financially benefiting both the businesses and the workers.
For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email Mickey von Dassow, program coordinator at info@sanjuansedc.org.
The EDC thanks San Juan County, the Raynier Institute and Foundation, the Corbins & Orcas Kiwanis, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Washington State Dept. of Commerce, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Islanders Bank, Heritage Bank, Island Market, Kings Market, Friday Harbor Market Place, Ace Hardware Friday Harbor, Browne’s Home Center, the Port of Lopez, the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands, the Orcas Island Community Foundation, and other individual donors for their support of various EDC trades programs and classes since 2017.
Help someone change their life with a new, high wage career!
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Current Courses
Introduction to Computer Aided Design
Course is full, and registration is closed.
Those seeking to enter a new career or boost their jobs skills are invited to learn Computer Aided Design (CAD) in a free, online class offered by the Economic Development Council (EDC). Brett Paul, Staff Engineer at Luxel, will be teaching a five-week introduction to CAD, May 18th through June 15th, on Tuesday evenings, at 7:00 – 8:30 PM, over Zoom.
The EDC’s goal in offering this course is to help county residents gain job skills and obtain economic stability. CAD is used in many industries, such as manufacturing and construction, as well as by scientific, craft, and arts businesses.
This course focuses on using CAD for manufacturing, themed on 3D printing, but will be of value to those seeking to use CAD in other industries or for use with other fabrication techniques.
Students will gain:
- Familiarity with CAD software (Fusion360; free version)
- Understanding of parametric CAD workflows
- Ability to create technical drawings
- Understanding of how to produce assemblies of a multi-component system
- A general understanding of design for various methods of fabrication
- Ability to properly design for additive manufacturing
This program will be free except for a $25 registration fee which is refundable upon successful course completion. The fee will be refunded to applicants for who are not admitted. The course will use the free version of Fusion 360 for personal/hobby use (not the free trial).
The course is open to San Juan County residents interested in using CAD in their work. Preference will be given to applicants who want to enter a new career, seek employment, or grow their own business. Applicants must be 18 or over.
To learn more, contact the EDC at mickey@sanjuansedc.org. …
This course is made possible by the generosity of funders of the EDC’s Trades Training Initiative, including the Raynier Institute and Foundation, San Juan County, the Lopez Island Lions Club, the United Way of San Juan County, the Port of Lopez, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Washington State Dept. of Commerce, and other donors. To support EDC trades programs, please visit consider donating.
Past Courses
Construction Project Management
For details, see our workshops page. Taught 5/19/2021 – 6/2/2021
Tree Worker Basics Course, Orcas Island, December 5th 2019-February 1, 2020 ***COURSE HAS BEEN FILLED***
In partnership with Rain Shadow Consulting, the Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer a free 6-week training in tree work and arboriculture, beginning December 5th. This course is sponsored by Walt Corbin and the Kiwanis Club of Orcas.
The course will be taught at the Rain Shadow Consulting office by Carson Sprenger, who has over 20 years of experience working in the forests of the San Juan Islands. This program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local companies in need of skilled employees. The hands-on curriculum has been designed for students and career changers interested in working in the tree care/tree service and landscaping trades. The class will cover:
- Tree worker safety and how to avoid common injuries
- WA Labor & Industries laws and employer responsibilities for tree workers
- Tools of the trade (PPE, ropes, rigging systems, climbing systems, aerial lifts, hand saws, chain saws, chippers, tree service trucks)
- Proper pruning techniques (how to do it right!)
- Tree felling techniques and specialized rigging systems
- Care and feeding of your chainsaw and other common tool maintenance
- Working with rope: knots to know and basic splicing
- Tree and plant health (keep trees happy and thriving!)
- Common tree species and basic tree identification
- Tree physiology and how trees respond to injury
- Physical demands of working in the tree care trades
- Industry organizations and certification (from tree worker to certified arborist)
The class will have at least two guest speakers from local tree care companies and will end with a Saturday field day for some hands-on learning and equipment demonstrations. No tree felling or chainsaw use will be part of this class. The course will prepare students for an entry level arborist position.
This course is intended as a career introduction; not for D.I.Y. home repairs.
This six-week course will run from 5:30-7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from December 5th 2019 through January 23rd 2020, with a break for the holidays from December 19th-January 7th, and one on-site day on Saturday, February 1st. This course is free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This program is sponsored by Walt Corbin and the Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
Electrical Basics Course, San Juan Island, October 31-December 12, 2019 
The Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer free training in electrical basics this fall, sponsored by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Browne’s Home Center, Ace Hardware, and Brown’s Heating and Refrigeration.
The course will be taught at Friday Harbor High School by Brent Huntington, a long-time electrician and plumber on San Juan Island. The program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local companies in need of skilled employees. The hands-on curriculum is designed for students and career changers, and includes safety, standards, and more. This course is free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This course is intended as a career introduction; not for D.I.Y. home repairs.
The six-week course will run from 5:30-7:30 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 31st through December 12th of 2019.
For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at glenn@sanjuansedc.org.
This program is sponsored by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Browne’s Home Center, Ace Hardware, and Brown’s Heating and Refrigeration. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
Water System Operator Job Training Course*
Eastsound Water and the San Juan Economic Development Council are offering an introductory course for persons interested in learning about a career as a Certified Water System Operator. The course is being taught by Eastsound Water on Orcas Island. Topics to be covered will include such topics as,
-
- How water systems work
- What water system operators do
- Hands on skills like “hot tapping” a water main, performing water quality tests, making leak repairs.
- Working with Surface Water and Ground Water.
- Distribution system management.
- Tours of multiple Orcas Water systems.
- Water Operator Certification testing requirements.
- Basic Water System Operator math.
There is a nation-wide shortage of water system operators. Orcas Island, and other San Juan Islands are experiencing this shortage. Working at a water system can provide stable, full time employment with reasonable benefits, and opportunities for career advancement to both men and women.
This course is FREE for residents of San Juan County and is specifically designed to help community members learn more about working in this profession and provide them a “leg up” if they wish to apply for work with a number of local water systems seeking operators. The course is one of series of trades-focused trainings being offered through the San Juan Economic Development Council. Financial sponsors include Eastsound Water, Doe Bay Water, and Olga Water. Eastsound Water is also offering a paid internship to one of the participants that complete this class.
The course will run from Mid September through Mid November, meeting 2 evenings a week, with some Saturday field trips to local water systems. The course is being taught by 30 year water system manager Ted Wixom. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. There is a $10 filing fee, but no other course expenses. Contact Eastsound Water’s General Manager with course questions and for more information on registration call the EDC office at 360-378-2906.
The course has started and registration is closed.
*Text from: Eastsound Water
Construction Welding (May-June, 2019)
The Economic Development Council (EDC) partnered with Skagit Valley College to offer free training in Construction Welding basics at SVC’s Mount Vernon campus this May. This latest class in the EDC’s Trades Education Initiative was sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and Skagit Valley College.
Classes offered as part of Trades Education Initiative are intended for young people and career-changers looking for a path into the trades. Construction Welding will be taught by Skagit Valley instructors and covered shielded metal arc welding with an emphasis on safety, as well as what to expect from a career path in this trade. The course was intended to benefit participating students as well as local employers. This course was 33 hours long and counted for 2 college credits. This class was free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This 6-week course ran on Saturdays from May 11th to June 15th of 2019. Transportation to and from Skagit Valley College was provided. There was no cost for the training, however preregistration and a $10 filing fee were required. This class is now completed.
For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email the EDC Trades Coordinator at glenn@sanjuansedc.org.
This program is sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and the Washington State Department of Commerce, and Skagit Valley College. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
The Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.
Low Voltage/Fiber Optics, San Juan Island, April 3rd 2019
The Economic Development Council (EDC) partnered with Rock Island to offer free training in low voltage wiring and fiber optic installation at Friday Harbor High School this April. This recent class in the EDC’s Trades Education Initiative was sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, the Washington State Department of Commerce, Rock Island, and the San Juan Island School District.
The course was taught by Rock Island Staff and covered essential concepts in fiber optic design and installation, modern home networks, practical wiring, and what to expect from a career path in this trade.
The curriculum included lectures, safety/tool usage demonstrations, field trips, and hands-on projects. All materials and tools were provided. This program was intended for young people and career-changers considering a career in the trades. The course will benefit participating students as well as local employers. This class was free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This course was intended as a career introduction, and was not appropriate for D.I.Y. home repairs.
The 5-week course ran from 4:00-6:00 PM Mondays and Wednesdays from April 3rd through May 8th of 2019.
Construction Basics, Lopez Island, March 26th 2019
The Economic Development Council (EDC) offered free training in construction basics at Lopez Island High School this March, sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and by the Lopez Community Land Trust.
The course was taught by Paul Henriksen, and covered basic construction skills and career paths in the trade. The curriculum included lectures, safety/tool use demonstrations, and a hands-on building project. All materials and tools were provided. This program was intended for young people and career-changers considering a career in the trades. The course will benefit participating students as well as local construction companies in need of skilled employees. This class was free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This course was intended as a career introduction; not for D.I.Y. home repairs.
The 8-week course ran from 5:30-7:30 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 26th through May 16th of 2019. The deadline to apply was Tuesday, March 19th.
For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at glenn@sanjuansedc.org.
This program is sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and by the Washington State Department of Commerce, and by the Lopez Community Land Trust. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
HVAC Basics Course, San Juan Island, March 5 2019
The Economic Development Council (EDC) offered free training in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation and repair basics this March, sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The course was taught at Friday Harbor High School by Kevin McCullough of San Juan Heating. The program was intended to benefit participating students as well as local companies in need of skilled employees. The hands-on curriculum was designed for students and career changers, and included safety, standards, and more. This course was free to residents of San Juan County, except for a filing fee of $10.
This course was intended as a career introduction; not for D.I.Y. home repairs.
The five-week course ran from 4:00-6:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 5th through April 4th of 2019.
For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at glenn@sanjuansedc.org.
This program is sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and by the Washington State Department of Commerce, and by San Juan Heating. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
Construction Basics, Fall 2018
The Economic Development Council (EDC) provided training in construction basics at Friday Harbor High School. The curriculum was designed for students and career changers, and included core construction skills, tool usage, safety, career and job information, and more. The course began November 5th at 3:30p at the FHHS STEM center and ran Mondays and Wednesdays for 8 weeks. There was no cost for this training, although pre-registration and a $10 filing fee were required.
For more infomation, email glenn@sanjuansedc.org or call the office at 360-378-2906.
The training was taught at the Friday Harbor High School STEM Center by Ravenhill carpenter Mike Murphy, who brought decades of carpentry and construction experience to the role. Qualifying participants received assistance in job placement with building companies throughout San Juan County.
This program was sponsored by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Ravenhill Construction, the San Juan Island School District, Green Man Landscape & Design, and Friday Harbor Ace Hardware. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally sponsored by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.
Free Electrical Basics course – Completed
The Economic Development Council (EDC) offered free training in electrical basics this spring, funded by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Kiwanis, Islanders Bank and Heritage Bank.
The EDC thanks our partners in the trades education initiative: the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Kiwanis, San Juan Propane, San Juan County Builders Association, San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, Islanders Bank, Heritage Bank, Island Excavating and Orcas Excavators.
Construction Basics Training – Completed
The Economic Development Council (EDC) currently offered free training in construction basics this past winter (2017), funded by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Kiwanis, Islanders Bank, the San Juan County Builders’ Association, Orcas Excavators and Island Excavating.
The course was taught at Orcas Island High School by Vocational and Woodworking Instructor Brett McFarland. The training was geared for high school students and young adults, and included core construction skills, tool usage, safety, and more. Instruction was open and free to all participants from San Juan County.
The training ran after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 28, 2017, through February 1st, 2018, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (to accommodate after-school travel from Lopez and San Juan Islands). There was no cost for the course; a $10 filing fee was required with application.
The EDC thanks our partners in this initiative: the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Kiwanis, San Juan County Builders Association, San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, Islanders Bank, Heritage Bank, Island Excavating, Orcas Excavators.
Marine Maintenance Training – Completed
The Economic Development Council (EDC) completed marine tech training at Skagit Valley College’s Marine Center in Anacortes. This program took place during the Spring 2017 and Summer 2017 quarters. The EDC thanks our partners in this initiative: Commerce, San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, Skagit Valley College, the Port of Friday Harbor, Islanders Bank, the Northwest Workforce Council, Heritage Bank, and area marine businesses.