Program helping locals prepare for high-speed rail jobs

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Local job-seekers have been busy preparing themselves to find work with the high-speed rail project. The idea is to give locals job-ready skills. The Building Trades Training and the Fresno County JumpStart Program has already helped several people find work in the industry.

Bending conduit is just one of the skills taught during pre-apprentice classes at the Fresno Area Electrical Training Center. All of these men and women hope to eventually land jobs related to the high-speed rail project.

"In the beginning it's the carpenters, laborers, operating engineers, and then the iron workers. Beyond that until they start actually building facilities is when you see the metal crafts, the plumbers and the sheet metal workers," said Chuck Riojas with the Local Construction Trades Council.

The training is conducted in seven different trades so they can pick up a skill set which can be used in many areas.

"They learn what a plumber and a fitter has to know. They learn the basics skills to start with and the math," said Bob Jennings with the State Construction Trades Council.

The High-Speed Rail Authority has set a target of 30 percent work hours for those who live in areas of high poverty. The Valley fits that category. The Workforce Investment Board is using a $1.5 million state grant to train unemployed workers.

"We're here to make sure that our local residents don't miss the train," said Blake Konczal with the Workforce Investment Board. "We have to get them ready in a timely enough fashion so they can compete for these jobs."

The work on the project has begun but the political battles over high-speed rail are far from over.

"We already have over 70 firms that have made commitments to perform work for the first two segments," said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.

The focus here is to get people ready when the hiring call goes out -- whether it is for high-speed rail or another project. The core curriculum for the training includes certification for forklift driving, first aid and Cal/OSHA safety.