Trades Training Initiative

Introduction

The Trades Training Initiative endeavors to upskill existing workers and train new workers in high-wage careers in the building trades. Click to continue reading.

Upcoming Courses

Youth: Learn Woodworking Basics with the EDC 

The EDC invites San Juan County youth to learn the basics of woodworking in a class offered in partnership with The Fellow Shop, led by Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren. Jean and Nic continue to share their extensive professional experience with the community and youth. They are gifted in instruction and enthusiastic to share their knowledge with our islands.

The EDC partners with community members to introduce youth to a wide variety of skills and career options, inspire them to be curious, and empower them to pursue further training. This entry-level course will focus on safety while introducing hand and power tools and basic woodworking principles. Students will create a cutting board to take home at the end of the workshop.

Details: This 2-day course takes place on Saturdays, March 23 and 30, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Fellow Shop on San Juan Island.

A $20.00 registration fee and parent attendance is required.

Deadline: Enrollment is open until 5:00pm on March 15. Participants are encouraged to apply early as space is limited. 

This course is open only to San Juan County residents ages 10 to 18 years old who have interest in woodworking and hand crafts.

Fill out the application form here: EDC-Training-Application-Youth-Woodworking March 2024

For more information or to register, contact the EDC’s trades training coordinator, Marti McConnell, at marti@sanjuansedc.org or 360-378-2906.

More trades courses coming soon!

Keep up to date on future opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook!

Ongoing Courses

Mariner Training Initiative

Ongoing

Home Care Aide

Rolling sign up; 2021-2024

Past Courses

Cabinet Making Basics

March, 2024

Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics

February, 2024

Furniture Making Basics

January, 2024

Youth Blacksmithing Basics

January, 2024

Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics on Orcas Island

November, 2023

Intro to Woodworking on Orcas Island

April – May, 2023

Masonry Basics

April, 2023

Woodworking Basics

March, 2022

Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics

February – March, 2023

Intro to Welding

November – December, 2022

Woodworking Basics

October – November, 2022

Business Management and Leadership

September – November, 2022

In Development

Introduction to Masonry

April 9th, 2022

Youth Trades

Ongoing

Related Programs

Mariner Training Initiative

Ongoing

Introduction to Woodworking

1/22 – 2/12 on Lopez

Introduction to Masonry

Dec. 4th, 2021

Tree Work

Oct. 30 – Nov. 20

Running Construction Projects

Oct. 19 – Nov. 16

Woodworking Basics

July 7th-28th, 2021

Work as a Construction Trainer

June 22nd, 2021

Contracts for Contractors

June 23rd, 2021

Construction Project Management

May 19th – June 2nd, 2021

Introduction to Computer Aided Design

May 18th – June 15th, 2021

Tree Worker Basics Course, Orcas Island

December 5th 2019-February 1, 2020

Electrical Basics Course, San Juan Island

October 31-December 12, 2019

Water System Operator Job Training Course

Construction Welding

May-June, 2019

Low Voltage/Fiber Optics, San Juan Island

April 3rd 2019

Construction Basics, Lopez Island

March 26th 2019

HVAC Basics Course, San Juan Island

March 5 2019

Construction Basics

Fall 2018

Free Electrical Basics course

Construction Basics Training

Marine Maintenance Training

Thank you to our funders!

2021 Trades Training Initiative funders included:

Individuals: the Corbin, Boden, Levinson, Madsen, and Van Hyning families, and several anonymous donors.

Foundations, non-profits, and service organizations: PeaceHealth, the Harvest Foundation, Raynier Institute and Foundation, Building Industry Association of Washington, San Juan Island Community Foundation, the United Way of San Juan County, the Lopez Lions, Friday Harbor Kiwanis, Orcas Kiwanis.

Government: Washington State Dept. of Commerce, San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Port of Lopez

Volunteers instructors for Running Construction Projects (Sandy Bishop/Lopez Community Land Trust and Pete Kilpatrick) and Youth Trades (Gilbert Venegas & John Salinas [SJI Fire & Rescue]; Dave Koch; Suzanne Olson & OPALCO staff members; Kai Hoffman-Krull [San Juan Islands Conservation District]; Chris & Justin Wolfe [Rainshadow Solar]).

In-kind donors: Cornerstone Healthcare Training, Lopez Island School District, Browne’s Home Center, Sunset Building Supply, Orcas Island Library, and Dave Koch

Thank you for helping us change lives!

To join the wonderful people supporting EDC Trades Training programs, click here.

Donations to the EDC, a 501c6 nonprofit organization, are not deductible as charitable deductions, but may be deductible as a business expense. Please consult your CPA for more information.