Training center offers options for short-term training courses to improve job prospects

Casper – The Wyoming Contractor’s Association (WCA) Regional Training Center (RTC) was created as a result of demand from industry for skilled employees. The short-term, high-intensity training programs allow students to develop skills quickly for work in the industry.

“We have a lot going on here,” says Paul Nash, recruiter and public relations manager at RTC. “We do training in a number of areas.”
RTC conducts training in construction, energy, transportation, hospitality and healthcare, and the focus on training with the end-goal of career placement.

“Training is not our end goal,” says WCA. “Placement and career development is. All of our programs have a high job placement rate with leading companies throughout the country.”

Training opportunities

Nash explains that students who enter the RTC all complete an interview process and orientation to begin the programs.

He adds, “We also want to connect with employers and Human Resources managers to see what they are looking for.”

The center has a unique ability to add training to their curriculum that is in high demand in the workforce.

“We can be very responsive to industry needs,” Nash says. “If there is a need that is not currently being offered elsewhere, we do our best to accommodate those needs.”

Courses heavy equipment operation, allied healthcare, Commercial Driver’s Licensing (CDL) and general subjects are all offered, and Nash explains that RTC aims to provide industry-driven programs that meet needs of job seekers.

Leadership training programs are also available.

Facility

Located just north of Casper, RTC is housed on 76 acres with over 22,000 square-feet of classroom space. The facility has innovative equipment and hands-on teaching facilities.

“The location includes a shop, heavy equipment training area, three rig pads with a drilling rig and a training derrick,” WCA says. “The facility has a 1.2 mile driving track along with a skills pad to teach commercial driving skills.”

For defensive driving, they employ the use of a skid car that allows trainers to simulate icy roads and dangerous driving conditions, Nash explains.

The staff employed at RTC has many years of experience and certification in construction, heavy equipment, state and federal Department of Transportation compliance, law enforcement, occupational safety, transportation and allied healthcare, among other skills.

Tiers of service

RTC operates under a model that emphasizes three tiers of service.

The first tier is a full-service solution.

“WCA’s RTC does the recruitment, screening, training and placement for a business or industry,” Nash says.

In the second tier, RTC aims to provide a trainer’s solution by taking curriculum provided by industry and using staff from the facility to train on that curriculum.

“We also lease our training facility and space at a low cost to industries that bring their own curriculum, trainers and employees to provide a facilities solution,” Nash adds. “We’re open to providing customized training for companies, as well.”

Tuition

All courses at the RTC are offered for a relatively low cost to students, Nash says, also adding that they are a non-profit company.

“We accept donations of equipment or money to help aid in training to keep it low cost,” he adds. “We also have a scholarship fund for students.”

The Department of Workforce Services also provides some funding for safety training and more.

“We have many ways to get students trained and placed in a career, some with the only cost being commitment and work ethic,” Nash says. “For those who qualify, we have grants that provide a variety of funding solutions to our students.”

Industry-driven solutions

RTC works to develop and maintain strong partnerships with industry to ensure that graduates are prepared for the workplace.

“Our industry partners are not only hiring our graduates, but they are also the investors in our programs and the training center itself,” says WCA. “This unique relationship allows us to understand the employer’s needs and hiring patterns at the ground floor level.”

The opportunity offers students that chance to receive short-term training that directly benefits them by also putting them in contact with RTC’s extensive hiring network.

WCA adds, “Receiving short-term training and moving into a new job and career has never been more accessible than today.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.