SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College is launching the highly-anticipated Construction Trades program with its first course, Entry Level Plumber Training, starting Aug. 1 on the Scottsbluff Campus.

Working with trades professionals in the Panhandle to not only develop curriculum but also to solicit instructors, the Construction Trades program was developed to help fill essential trades positions throughout the Panhandle. Along with Plumber Training, courses include General Carpentry, Electrician Training, and HVACR.

"Nationally there is a significant shortage of trained professionals in the construction trades," Doug Mader, WNCC workforce & lifelong learning executive director said. "Here in western Nebraska, that shortage is even more pronounced. For too long our society stressed that a good job came from a four-year degree. The reality is, careers in these trades pay well, are sustainable and can be attained without debt and a great deal of time. In a few months, someone can be on their way to becoming a plumbing apprentice and earnings potential that can exceed careers that require four or more years of college."

The Entry Level Plumber Training course is intended for students interested in entering the plumbing industry, and designed to help students get their foot in the door as a helper with the goal of becoming a plumbing apprentice. The 20-week course will teach basic construction trade skills and develop plumbing-specific skills and knowledge.

The course is divided into two sections - an Introduction to Basic Construction Skills for the first eight weeks, and National Center for Construction Education & Research Plumbing Level 1 the final 12 weeks. Classes will be held in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6-9 p.m.) and on Saturdays (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) to accommodate working students as well as individuals that are in-between jobs. Classes will take place in the Low Bays at the John N. Harms Center in Scottsbluff.

"Access to this type of training is critical, and we believe it is best offered in a non-traditional format," Mader said. "Classes offered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays don’t work for people that want to change careers while still earning a paycheck. Offering this type of training nights and on Saturdays give individuals the opportunity to either stay employed in their current job or they can hire on with a trades business and earn while they learn.  The goal is to give as many people access to this training as possible."

Tuition for the plumbing course is $3,750, and financial aid is available, including Community College Gap Funding for those who qualify. Upon completion of the program, students will earn a NCCER national certification and be ready to gain employment as a plumbing apprentice.

WNCC hopes to launch an additional construction trades course later in the year in Sidney, as well as a course in Alliance in early 2024. Start dates for those courses will be determined at a later date.

WNCC Announces Spring 2023 President's and Dean's List

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College is proud to announce that the following students were honored on the Spring 2023 President's List (4.0 GPA) and Dean's List (3.40-3.99 GPA).

Forty-three finished the semester with a 4.0 grade point average to make the President's List, and 158 were honored on the Dean's List. 

PRESIDENT'S LIST (4.00 GPA)

Nebraska

Alliance – Joshua D. Siegler; Angora – Haylea Carnine; Bayard – Trevor C. Reish; Benkelman – Michael Allan Aldridge; Chappell – Patrick M. Hansen; Gering – Megan J. Bewley, Kathryn J. Blankenship, Adelita Calistro, Jason R. Fritzler, Gurnoor Singh Hayer, Andrea M. Meyers, Braxton L. Rider; Harrisburg – Breana K. McGowan, Chelsea M. Smith; Henry – Allison P. Cotant; Lakeside – Levi Berndt; Lincoln – Ashlyn M. Bamrick, Alex Krause; Mitchell – Victor J. Palomo; Scottsbluff – Adam Bell, Albino F. Canales, Stacey M. Charron, Avery Nicole Fox, Emily Ann Franklin, Nathan A. Hoevet, Madison Mae Johnston, Anna Jane Kelley, Jaimason A. Kulovany, Kaia E. Larson, Laisha Ruby Pacheco, Emily Sue Strauch, Haley O. Thomalla, Yesenia R. Torres, Addison J. Wilson;

Colorado

Rifle – Paul Gerardo Cerros-Rosales; Swink – Baylie Krueger;

Wyoming

Fort Bridger – Augustus A. Allred; Pine Bluffs – Scott J. Michaud; Torrington – Sydney P. Steiner;

Other States & Countries

Pawtucket, Rhode Island – Juan Carlos Ardon Salazar; Mullumbimby, Australia– Natalya Yazmin Baird-Watson; Jacarei, Brazil – Gabriel Tukiyama Santos; Owerri, Nigeria – Charles Oguoma.

DEAN'S LIST (3.40 - 3.99 GPA)

Nebraska

Ainsworth – Jared W. Ellis; Alliance – Lizbeth A. Carrillo, Carson Cottrell, Kulwinder Kaur, Jennifer L. Morgan, Ty M. Redecker, April D. Riggs, Connor A. Schmidt, Zane W. Stoike, Payton K. Weber, Kylie L. Williams; Ashby – Lisa L. Jamison; Broadwater – Dawson C. Wiggins; Chadron – Shelby M. Doescher, Abie H. Hyatt; Crawford – Jacob E. Reich; Ellsworth – Justin C. Schwanebeck; Gering – Josie A. Brown, Makenna R. Culek, Jesus A. Diaz Rubio, Andrew L. Hanson, Kealan Raw Hawley, Chelsea L. Johnston, Jared A. Polich, Aspen E. Reinmuth, Riley G. Shaver, Hannah Vath, Candace Wolfe; Grand Island – Robin Phu; Harrisburg – Jamie E. Triolo; Hay Springs – Kelsey L. Kudrna, Kaleb D. Miller; Kimball – Jesus Arturo Fernandez, Maryanne E. Moorman; Lemoyne – McKenna L. Krueger; Minatare – Oziel G. Camargo; Mitchell – Jackson James Allen, Holly M. Anderson, Noah Ciesielski, Michaline R. Garcia, Garrett E. Hessler; Morrill – Anna C. McDaniel, Hazen J. Nienhuser, Ty Pawtow; Mullen – Justin W. Wiens; Oshkosh – Jordon C. Underwood; Ogallala – Mariah A. Covel; Potter – Halsey H. Clark; Ravenna – Kale R. Eilenstine; Scottsbluff – Sandra J. Arlt, Mamadi L. Badjie, Mireya J. Barraza, Preston David Beal, Justin A. Bruns, Jacqueline Bryant, Laura C. Burgess, Albert R. Bustinza, Dyllan C. Coop, Eduardo Deoliveira, Mariah G. Eichner, Elizabeth Espino, Yolanda Fernandez, Barrett Roger Frank, Elizabeth E. Fulk, Yvette J. Garcia, Allyson N. Gion, Ethan J. Gion, Adanijah M. Gonzales, Vanessa Gurrola, Jennifer M. Gutierrez, Gregg Harman, Kayleigh S. Hewett, Isabella M. Jaramillo, Dahee Kang, Agnes Kirimi, Kirk J. Linberry, Merce Alexzander Lockwood, Storm M. Lossing, Alessandra Meoni, Chukwuka Mora, Jillian D. Murillo, Esha Flora Waqar Nayak, Janeva Gumaro O'Bannon, Kaden J. Pringle, Chrisina D. Red Feather, Taliesin D. Reese, Abigail Roberts, Chloe Marie Rogers, Alyssa M. Strachan, Jalyn N. Wagner, Drew J. Wills, Blake W. Wilson, Maya J. Wilson, Isabella G. Wright; Sidney – Josie M. Dowse, Christopher W. Pile, Taylor Runge, Trevor A. Teague; Sutherland – Samuel E. Foster;

Colorado

Aurora – Alexander Alarcon, Vanessa Vazquez Ojendiz; Bethune – Clayton Craig; Brighton – Bryce G. Peterson; Broomfield – Dylan M. Harris; Centennial – Maurice Walker; Colorado Springs – Alexey N. Perucca; Commerce City – Desarae J. Woolsey; Conifer – Alexander Pierce Ainsworth; Denver – Cora M. Elvehjem; Fort Collins – Rachel D. Conner, Devyn F. Priselac; Firestone – Wyatt R. Zsidisin; Julesburg – Jaciel Villalobos; Loveland – Isaac Vahlenkamp; Parker – Rennan Ishara Sousa, Victoria A. Wharton; Sterling – Joel S. Muller; Thornton – Aileen Perez Cardenas; Walden – Shannon M. Whitten; Westcliffe – Ivy R. Selden; Westminster – Nathan Dankers; Windsor – Shae M. Hardy;

Wyoming

Cheyenne – Connor P. Smith; Gillette – Jesse W. Nichols; Guernsey – Afton Kelley; Laramie – Garrett T. Dodd; Pine Bluffs – Ty D. Sweeter; Saratoga – Samantha J. Fiedor;

Other States & Countries

Mountain View, California – Jordan Elaine Steinle; Kahuku, Hawaii – Emmalei T. Mapu; Vinton, Louisiana – Mackenzie A. Joseph; Las Vegas, Nevada – Erin K. Hurst; Bronx, New York – Imani J. Harris; Lawton, Oklahoma – Ashleigh N. Charron; Tahlequah, Oklahoma – Bretly R. Crawford; Hermosa, South Dakota – Jayla M. Brehmer; El Paso, Texas – Alexandra I. Hernandez; Laredo, Texas – Anakaren Chavez; San Antonio, Texas – Shanelle G. Martinez; Sandy, Utah – Tyler R. Easter; Washington, D.C. – Yonatan Getachew; Bahia Blanca, Argentina – Jeronimo Zelaya Diaz; Cabedelo, Brazil – Paulo Henrique Da Silva Marques; Cotia, Brazil – Erik Wagner Rohwedder De Resende; Joinville, Brazil – Valeria Saturno; Sao Paulo, Brazil – Caio Serratto Monteiro; Dorval, Canada – Jayla Owen-Lafontaine; Santiago, Chile – Hernan Burdiles; Rottofreno, Italy – Erica Fava; Dazaifu-shi, Japan – Shiho Isono; Auckland, New Zealand – Charlotte Blackman; Fielding, New Zealand – Briana Henson; Johannesburg, South Africa – Kennedy Malunga; Seoul, South Korea – Damin Kang; Barcelona, Spain – Galla Font I Valls; Lome, Togo – Diwenitissiou Philipine Andjawo; Masvingo, Zimbabwe – Tawananyasha Magate.