LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With an expected shortage of over 100,000 workers in Indiana’s construction industry in the coming years, the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation is offering a free training program to help meet the growing demand for skilled labor. The state is experiencing a construction boom, compounded by impending retirements, and this new initiative aims to provide opportunities for Hoosiers aged 18 and older who are interested in starting a career in construction.

Starting March 10, 2025, the BY Construction Training class will be held at the Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, located at 1100 Elizabeth St., No. 3, Lafayette, IN. The class runs through May 9, 2025, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. It is designed to help students gain the skills necessary for entry-level positions in the construction industry, with a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience.

The training covers essential topics such as basic safety, construction math, the use of hand and power tools, interpreting construction drawings, material handling, and developing communication skills. Participants who complete the course will earn two valuable industry certifications: NCCER Core and OSHA 30, which will increase their employability in the construction sector.

The course concludes with a job fair, where students will have the opportunity to connect with construction companies that are actively hiring. Students will be positioned to start working right away in well-paying jobs that offer benefits such as health coverage and vacation time. According to the news release, the average wage for these positions after six months is $24.90 per hour.

Chris Price, president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Our goal is to train individuals so they can immediately start working,” Price said. “This is a win for the students who want good-paying full-time jobs; a win for the construction companies who want trained, reliable workers; and a win for Indiana, which will continue to grow and thrive economically.”

For those interested in joining the training program, registration is now open at the Indiana Construction Foundation website: indianaconstructionfoundation.com/events/260-by-construction-training-lara-winter-2025.

As Indiana’s construction industry faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, this training class is a valuable opportunity for individuals looking to enter a high-demand field and contribute to the state’s booming economy.

Originally reported by Lafayette in Journal & Courier.