Train while still in uniform. Employ upon transition. That’s the backbone of the Career Skills Program (CSP) at Fort Drum, which helps active duty military members move into civilian careers in construction, mining, cybersecurity and logging, among other industries.
This fall, a fourth class of soldiers will be participating in Fort Drum’s most successful CSP—a six-week construction training program fully funded by Associated Builders and Contractors’ Empire State Chapter.
Launched in 2018 and offered twice a year in March and October, the class covers basic safety training, construction math, hand and power tools, and employment skills. Students complete NCCER Core Labor 1 and Carpentry 1 curriculum, plus receive their OSHA 10 card. Prior to graduation, the class builds a project for the community (e.g., a shed for a local church), with materials donated by Lowe’s.
“The ABC program at Fort Drum has an 86% placement rate for those we’ve been training—the highest placement rate of all the CSPs offered to the soldiers,” says Jeff Albert, chief operating officer of the ABC Empire State Chapter.
Three groups of soldiers have graduated to date, which means the construction industry is home to about 25 new people who are determined, loyal, hardworking, reliable, responsible, resilient and adaptable—not to mention take initiative and understand the value of teamwork. The vast majority of class members do not stay in New York, so the program ultimately is a nationwide education and recruitment tool.
Chris Gray of Structural Associates, a general contractor based in East Syracuse, New York, taught the first class along with safety instruction from Jason Ashlaw, the ABC chapter’s safety director. Going forward, Alain Moran, a Fort Drum veteran, will take over.
“It really brings the program full circle to have a transitioning veteran be our next instructor,” Albert says.
The ABC Empire State Chapter has signed a lease for the next five years to continue training at Fort Drum, and it’s working to initiate an internship program so enrolled soldiers can get practical hands-on experience in addition to classroom instruction.
