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The Pike County and Troy City Schools have received Construction, Industry, Craft Training Program grants totaling $174,400.

Jeremy Knox, career technical director, at the Troy Pike Center for Technology, said the grant funds are making it possible to provide up-to-date training for students who are interested in careers in the technical fields and to prepare them for employment at local technical industries including Whaley Construction, Murphee Bridge Corporation, KW Plastics and other industry partners in construction and welding.

The night classes are offered free of charge to high school-age students and adults who are interested in a career, not just a job.

“We have a wide range of ages, from 18 to around 60, with 15 in the construction class and 50 in the welding classes,” Knox said.

“We have been very pleased with the response.  Both the construction and welding classes at the Troy Pike Center for Technology are full as well as the off-campus site at the Troy Pipe Welding Institute. Cross-training is available to the students and they are being trained on the most up-to-date equipment and machines available in both the construction and welding fields and also on personal protective gear.”

Knox said the Construction, Industry, Craft Training Program grants are making it possible for people of different ages to prepare for good paying jobs here at home and elsewhere.

“In the past, trades were often not considered good career jobs,” Knox said. “But, today, these are good paying jobs with the potential of owning one’s own business.”

Knox said within the construction and welding trades are many different jobs and, therefore, many opportunities. He expressed appreciation for the training program grants that will open doors of opportunity for career oriented students and adults who are seeking good paying jobs with potential upward mobility here at home and elsewhere.