The Gresham Heroes Memorial provides a permanent place to honor the men and women who have served in all branches of the military or the [...]]]> In 2008/2009, The Northwest College of Construction was proud to be a part of the construction efforts, in cooperation with local suppliers and contractors, to build the Gresham Heroes Memorial.

The Gresham Heroes Memorial provides a permanent place to honor the men and women who have served in all branches of the military or the fire and police services. The memorial is located at the corner of Powell Boulevard and Roberts at 219 South Main Street.

The memorial is managed by a task force of volunteers. These volunteers organized an effort to fund the memorial largely from grants and donations.

In March 2004, then City Councilor, Jack Hanna, requested approval from the Gresham City Council to establish a Task Force to raise the funds to build a Memorial to all men and women in Military, Fire, and Police services. The Council agreed and in, April the Task Force was formed. But there was one condition – there would be no City money involved. And so it began . . .

After five years of fund raising and a year of construction on May 2, 2009, the Heroes Memorial & Tribute was dedicated. She was built through the generosity of citizens and corporate sponsors and one of the few projects within the City that was completely paid-in-full on the day of dedication. Located within the parameters of an area known as Small Park, which had been cared for by the Optimists Club for many years, on the corner of Powell and Roberts adjacent to Main City Park in the heart of downtown Gresham, Oregon.

Before becoming an operator apprentice, Nicole Rustigan worked as a corporate travel agent. She was tired of getting laid off again and again. [...]]]> SPOTLIGHT STORY: Nicky Rustigan
by Lisa Schmidt
“The difference in the work I do now from the work I did before is that it’s more rewarding to be physically exhausted.” – Nicky

Before becoming an operator apprentice, Nicole Rustigan worked as a corporate travel agent. She was tired of getting laid off again and again. Nicole or Nicky, as her co-workers know her, decided to attend the Women in Trades Conference after a lay-off from being a travel agent. Nicky decided it was time to pursue her interest in work that would be more physically challenging.

Nicky already had experienced working on cars and motorcycles while growing up and felt ready to tackle a job that would be more physically demanding. At first, Nicky thought about becoming a flagger.
“I always thought it was neat to be in construction—but I really admired the people that actually built the highways,” said Nicky.
Nicky applied to the apprenticeship program through the Northwest College of Construction in June of 2006. Nicky was surprised to receive a telephone call within two days to come in for an interview. Within the next ten days, Nicky was preparing for the jump-start program.

Jump-start is a safety orientation that teaches about Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and flagger certifications.

Nicky shared that her life changed dramatically very quickly upon beginning the program. Many opportunities started presenting themselves. Nicky was excited to be pursuing her dream with a dispatch to the Yaquina River Construction project.
Nicky drove two hours every day, each way, to accomplish her dream of working as a grade checker on Highway 20, which was going through the mountain between Newport and Corvallis.

Nicky graduated third in her class!
“I did that through October and then, unfortunately, I slipped and fell during an erosion control check with the Yaquina River Construction project,” said Nicky.

Not wanting to waste any time in not being able to work at the job site, Nicky began attending the NWCC equipment operators training program in January of 2007. She said the training was great and helped her relationship with her sixth grader because they were both studying measurements and maps.

The equipment operators’ class is held on the “Dozer Day” site in Vancouver, so Nicky happened to be at the site when Nutter Corporation visited. Nutter Corporation helps to recruit volunteer operators to assist children attending Dozer Day. Kids get to operate equipment and the proceeds go to support the Vancouver Parks Foundation.

Nicky’s interest led to her being dispatched by NWCC to the Harold Street project, which is a main sewer line replacement with Nutter Corporation.

“It’s hard work, but I love it and I’m happy!”
said Nicky.

www.nwcoc.com

Minimum Qualifications for Applicants: 1. Age: [...]]]> Program Summary:

This special, intense, 5-week introduction to the carpentry trade is designed to provide women the knowledge and hands-on skill building needed to qualify for a carpentry position with an Oregon or SW Washington based transportation construction company. The most likely type of construction will be bridge building.

Minimum Qualifications for Applicants:
1. Age: 18 or over
2. High school diploma or GED
3. No felonies on record
4. Current drivers license
5. Personal auto or truck

Successful Candidates will be Determined By:
1. Mandatory drug screens; one at beginning; at least one random
2. H.S. diploma/GED
3. Drivers license and personal vehicle
4. Criminal background check
5. Verifiable child care w/back up
6. Convincing evidence of ability to live at or commute to remote construction sites
(considerable travel likely required)
7. Demonstrated ability to perform physical labor
8. Ability to demonstrate adequate hand-eye coordination
9. Perfect attendance record for entirety of training program

Upon Completion Students will Earn/Obtain:
1. First Aid/CPR certificate; Flagging (traffic control) certificate; OSHA 10-hour certificate
2. Job placement services: Priority given to transportation contractors

Orientation: 4:00 – 6:00pm, December 16 or January 20 (attendance required at one)
Projected Program Dates: 5 weeks: March 4 – April 8, 2011
Call or go online for an application! 503.256.7300 | www.nwcoc.com
Program provided by the NW College of Construction, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Bureau of Labor & Industry (BOLI)