Gould Construction Institute and Penn Foster Partner to Offer On-Demand Career/Skills Development Courses for the Construction Trade

WOBURN, Mass. and SCRANTON, Pa., March 20, 2018 -- Gould Construction Institute (GCI), the training affiliate of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Massachusetts, today announced it has partnered with Penn Foster, a leading middle skilled education and skills training provider, to make an array of construction courses available to those interested in pursuing a career in construction.  The courses, all available online, provide individuals interested in the construction trade and current construction trade professionals with a convenient and affordable means to gain the knowledge and skills to be successful in the construction field or to advance their construction career.

The new Penn Foster courses, available now through GCI, are designed to efficiently and effectively present the foundational pieces required to be successful in the construction field, and include Introduction to Construction; Blueprint Reading; Basic Math; and Business Literacy. In addition, GCI is offering Penn Foster’s Career Readiness Bootcamp, a 10-module course that helps employees in any career learn the “soft skills” that employers most request of new employees, including communication, decision-making/problem solving, leadership and integrity.

“GCI is thrilled to support the growth of the construction trades in Massachusetts with the launch of this initiative, which reinforces our collective goal of helping employees new to construction learn and improve their skills so they can more quickly advance in their construction careers,” said Barbara Lagergren, President, GCI. “Penn Foster is a highly reputed and prominent force in workforce training and development, and by more effectively skilling and upskilling our construction workforce in Massachusetts, we can help address the skills gap that continues to cause labor market challenges across the construction industry.”

Penn Foster combines a rich history in skilled trades training and apprenticeships with a proprietary technology-enabled platform supported by comprehensive academic, professional and personal support and coaching.  As the trusted training partner to more than 700 skilled trades enterprises, Penn Foster develops the essential job skills that launch and accelerate careers, drive business outcomes and set new standards in workforce performance. Training participants can take courses on their own schedules, and will have access to Penn Foster’s full platform support.

“GCI has taken a leadership position in construction training in Massachusetts and understands the value of offering those interested in construction an online option that allows them to learn anytime and anywhere,” said Collin Gutman, Head of Skilled Trades, Penn Foster. “We look forward to deepening our relationship with GCI as the construction trades continue their long-deserved resurgence.”

About Gould Construction Institute
Gould Construction Institute has been providing high-quality training that prepares individuals for gainful and long-term opportunities in the construction industry since 1983. GCI is fully licensed by the Division of Professional Licensure/Office of Private Occupational Education and approved by  Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship.  For more information, visit www.gwgci.org.

About Penn Foster
Students, employers and partner organizations rely on Penn Foster to build the skills and knowledge to power the 21st century workforce. For over 125 years, Penn Foster has been dedicated to helping people lead more meaningful and productive lives and to improving social outcomes through education. Penn Foster provides career pathways for opportunity youth and adult learners through diverse and affordable online diploma, certificate and degree programs, offered via its high school, career school and college. With more than 30,000 graduates each year, Penn Foster's online and blended learning programs are delivered in a self-paced, competency-based model wrapped by comprehensive academic, professional and personal support and coaching. For more information, visit https://www.workforcedevelopment.com/.

Press Contacts:

GCI
Julie Kelliher
[email protected]
781.270.9990

Penn Foster
Kate Mosteller
[email protected]
570.961.4032