Lakeport >> For years Mendocino College has been working toward offering sustainable technology classes at the Lake Center campus, but it was the devastating Valley Fire which ultimately brought the first course to Lake County. With so many houses destroyed and the reconstruction process just beginning, the college felt now was the perfect opportunity to give people the skills which will be so essential in the coming months.
“We figured this would be a good time to offer these classes so people can rebuild their own houses or get a job in the rebuilding effort,” said Jennifer Riddell, Program Coordinator for Mendocino College’s Sustainable Technology Program. “The fire was something that inspired us to think that it would work out, that people would be interested and be able to utilize it.”
Starting Saturday Feb. 27, the college will teach Construction Fundamentals, a three unit, 12-week course intended to give students basic knowledge of residential contracting, start to finish. It’s part of the Sustainable Technology Program, which has been offered at the main campus in Ukiah for five years now. After students go through the program they receive one of three certificates of completion in either Construction, Renewable Energy or Residential Performance and Efficiency. While the program is not intended to make anyone an expert in sustainable technology, it lays a solid foundation for further education. “I think we’ve been successful in the sense that we have graduates that really feel like they’ve gained solid skills,” said Riddell.
No one will walk away from just one class in Construction Fundamentals with a certificate, but Mendocino College hopes to bring more classes to Lake County if this course is successful. First they have to overcome the hurdle of enrollment. If too few people sign up for the class, then it will have to be canceled. However, if that happens, the Lake Center will offer it again at the end of the summer.
To teach the class they’ve enlisted local contractor Glenn Mueller. For nine years Mueller has been working as a general and electrical contractor. He also has experience working as a constriction project manager for large commercial buildings. He has a four-year degree in mechanical engineering, as well as a contractor’s license.
When the college approached Mueller about teaching, he didn’t hesitate to agree. As a contractor in Lake County, he knew there were a number of people interested in the construction field, but getting a foot in the door was the problem. “I didn’t see any programs locally that were equipping anybody to get into the construction business,” Mueller said.
As the name suggests, Construction Fundamentals will teach the basics, from construction math and power tool safety to job site expectations. It’s open to anyone of any experience level, even beginners. Whether someone is looking to work as a general contractor on their own home, understand the details of hiring a contractor, or find employment in construction, the class is the perfect starting point. Plus, it will give students a taste of what it takes to be a contractor, math and heavy labor included.
Construction Fundamentals is all about practical experience, with education in and out of the classroom. Students will begin with small projects, like building planter boxes for the Lake County Fairgrounds, which will ease them into the process of creating something from start to finish. Another project Mueller is considering is instructing the class in building a shed on the Lake Center Campus, where future construction classes can house their tools.
Since the housing crash of 2008, the contracting business hasn’t been booming, Mueller explained, but now everything has changed. Contractors are more important than ever in the Cobb and Middletown areas. “The class is perfect timing because the need is going to be there for the next two, three years,” he said.
And once a bulk of the rebuilding is complete in south Lake County, there are other projects which will require contracting work. There’s been talk of a new courthouse and many people are still waiting for the day Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa reopens. “We’re hoping that the need for construction work will continue for the next four or five years and beyond,” said Mueller.
Electrical engineers are also in high demand, Mueller said, with a number retiring and not enough engineers ready to take over the work. He hopes Construction Fundamentals might peak some students’ interest in the career field. “We really need to see more folks get interested and looking into becoming electricians,” he said.
Whether a beginner to contracting or someone with years of construction experience who wants to brush up on their skills, Construction Fundamentals is an ideal course. “I think the biggest thing people get out of it is a confidence booster,” Riddell said. Construction Fundamentals runs from Feb. 27 -May 26 with a lecture on Thursday evenings and a hands-on lab on Saturdays. To sign up for the course, register in person at the Lake Center campus in Lakeport or online at www.mendocino.edu/admissions. Contact the Admissions and Records office at 468-3101.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
