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LAKEPORT, Calif. – With an increased need for building skills arising in Lake County after the recent wildland fires, Mendocino College later this month will begin offering a construction class at its Lake Center in Lakeport.
Mendocino College's Sustainable Technology Program will hold its first Construction Fundamentals Class (SST 180) at the Lake Center beginning on Feb. 27. All members of the community are welcome to register for the class.
The class, an introduction to construction skills and methods, covers a range of topics from safe tool use and construction practices to fundamental building skills and an overview of construction topics.
Steve Hixenbaugh, interim dean of the Lake Center and the college's career and technical education program, has high hopes for the class, and is looking at it as part of the college's contribution to the Valley fire recovery effort.
Sustainable Technology Program Coordinator Jen Riddell said the college wants to get courses in the building- and energy-related fields going in Lake County, and expanding the knowledge in those fields is especially relevant in the wake of the fire.
“I think it's going to be a really great class if we can fill it,” she said.
Riddell said the Sustainable Technology Program at Mendocino College began offering classes in 2011.
The program offers three certificates in construction, renewable energy, and residential performance and efficiency, she said.
All certificates provide hands-on experience in the topics, as well as theoretical coverage of the building and energy trades.
“We've been offering these classes on the Ukiah campus for the last five years, successfully,” said Riddell.
She said they have students who commute to Ukiah from Lake County to take the coursework, and they believe local students would appreciate having the ability to take classes nearer their homes.
“Our hope is that the classes will provide Lake County residents with the skills they need to work on their own homes or find jobs in the rebuilding efforts,” Riddell said.
The Mendocino College Foundation has given the program a grant to buy tools and a trailer in order to have a mobile lab in Lake County. “So we're getting started and getting set up for that,” Riddell said.
Riddell said class members do not need any previous experience and there are no prerequisites, although having math skills will be helpful.
Students will be taught the basic skills of construction, and will move from small projects to more complex work, she said.
During the last part of the semester, the goal is to have students get hands-on experience in a real project. Riddell said it's not yet settled what that hands-on project might be.
Lake County contractor Glenn Mueller will teach the class. Mueller has a background in both general construction and electrical contracting. He's been working in this field for the past nine years and also has previous construction background working as a project manager for large commercial buildings.
This three-unit class will run for 12 weeks. Classes will meet for a lecture from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Saturdays for a hands-on lab, Riddell said.
The lecture time will cover construction methods and green construction techniques, and the labs will focus on hands-on skills, and practical applications through actual construction projects.
Riddell said the class will be very helpful for those people who plan to do their own rebuilding.
“I have a lot of hope for this,” she said.
To register go to http://www.mendocino.edu/ or for assistance visit the Lake Center at 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport, telephone 707-263-4944.
More information on the Sustainable Technology Program can be found at http://www.mendocino.edu/department/sustainable-technology-program or by contacting Riddell at 707-468-3080,
Email Elizabeth Larson at
