KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – Keene Community Education has been awarded a $20,000 grant to expand its Skilled Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program.

The funding, part of a national initiative supporting 25 sites across the country, is intended to help prepare students for employment in construction-related trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and general construction.

The grant responds to growing local demand for skilled labor, with over 100 current job openings in the construction trades in the Keene area. Employers in the region have consistently indicated a need for workers with basic construction skills who can be trained further on the job.

Students enrolled in the 10-week program will earn two nationally recognized credentials: the OSHA 10 certification and the NCCER CORE credential. These certifications verify essential job readiness in areas including tool safety, construction math, blueprint reading, workplace communication, digital literacy, and materials handling.

The program is funded by the Lowe’s Foundation, the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). In addition to offsetting tuition—set at $500 per student—the funding covers instructor training, digital resources, testing subscriptions, tools, and classroom materials.

Instruction will be led by licensed trades professionals Bill Sevigny, an electrical apprenticeship instructor, and Travis Castor, a plumbing apprenticeship instructor. Classes are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., beginning June 2 and running through August 28 at the Cheshire Career Center and Keene Community Education.

The schedule is designed to accommodate working adults and recent high school graduates, with students able to transition directly into apprenticeship programs or employment upon completion.

More information and registration details are available on Keene Community Education’s website.