The Carbon Career and Technical Institute announced recently that its carpentry program has been endorsed by the Carbon County Builders Association and has received statewide confirmation from the Pennsylvania Builders Association in Harrisburg.

PBA is the voice of the home building industry in Pennsylvania with nearly 4,000 member companies and individuals.

“I want to congratulate our instructors Jeff Hazelton and Walter O’Donnell and all of our carpentry students.

Their skill and dedication to the carpentry field are now being officially recognized by two prominent industry organizations at the state and county level.

The Carbon Home Builders Association and PA Builders Association endorsements will surely open doors for our carpentry graduates,” said Dave Reinbold, administrative director at CCTI.

Trade program endorsements involve a comprehensive review and evaluation by professionals working in the construction industry, using criteria established by the National Association of Home Builders.

Local contractors from T&T Contracting, K&K Doors and More and Awesome View Properties Inc. were used to evaluate CCTI’s carpentry program.

The program is also recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators.

The endorsement certifies that trade programs will properly prepare students for a career in the industry with foundational knowledge in the various building trades.

PBA works with schools around the state to certify their home building courses, verifying that they meet NAHB educational guidelines. Students who complete PBA-endorsed programs are tested to demonstrate their competency of these standards.

Students’ certification provides assurance to future employers they are well-prepared for work with a residential construction company or subcontractor.

PBA members are also provided exclusive access to the contact information of these students to directly discuss employment opportunities.