About the Construction Academy

The PWSC Construction Academy began when BJ Williams and Dr. Dan O’Connor applied for and received funding from the Alaska Technical Vocational Program (TVEP) through the Department of Labor. PWSC was able to start building the Construction Academy with the purchase of tools, a transit van, and materials. During the course of time since being awarded the grant, classes designed to teach students how to build a picnic table and how to repurpose pallets have been offered. Some of the larger projects that have been completed are the construction of a greenhouse shed for the Karen Davey Stewart Memorial Community Garden, a mobile hunting cabin constructed through a shared career and technical education program with Copper River School District, and the current project of constructing a tiny house, which will be auctioned off with the proceeds going towards scholarships for PWSC students. 

View Pictures of the Tiny House Project

Future Direction

The PWSC Construction Academy intends to offer a series of non-credit classes intended for Valdez community members, including do-it-yourselfers, students, and people interested in pursuing a handyman license from the State. Classes will be in 3-hour blocks offered on Saturdays or weekdays. Classes will be open for up to 10 students and course fees will be $20 per student. The classes will utilize a variety of teaching methods including classroom instruction, textbooks, hands-on model building, and opportunities to participate in a construction project that will lead to the completion of a full-sized project, such as a shed. Potential future classes will include 

Dates and Topics for 2020

• February 22 (9:00AM - 12:00PM) - Drywall Installation
• February 29 (9:00AM - 12:00PM) - Drywall Finish & Repair

Dates and Topics for 2019 

• October 5th (9:00AM - 12:00PM) - Introduction to tools and tool safety
• October 12th (9:00AM - 12:00PM) - Framing a floor
• October 19th (9:00AM - 12:00PM ) - Framing windows
• October 26th (9:00AM - 12:00PM) -Framing doors 

 

For more information on the Construction Academy, contact Woody Woodgate at (907) 834-1673 or wawoodgate@alaska.edu.