The Intro to Trades program at the Golden Campus of the College of the Rockies will be leaving their legacy.
“We’re going to be building the Legacy Project at the college, which is going to be a timberframe cover that covers the walkway from the college doors to the parking lot,” said Susan Polland, a student with the program.
Born and raised in Golden, Polland is one of two girls, and 10 students overall in the Intro to Trades program.
She had heard the program advertised a few times and thought it would be interesting, and one day her car just kind of turned into the college parking lot.
“There are so many reasons why I decided to take part in this program. I like carpentry, and I like building, so I thought this would be really neat. And I wanted a better understanding of some of the other trades, electrical, plumbing, that sort of thing,” said Polland, who describes herself as the old lady in the class.
“I can’t say enough about it. I’ve really enjoyed it. And I highly recommend it. For anybody that has no idea what they want to do coming out of school, or going back into the workforce, it’s just awesome. I come home on a high every single day. It’s a good feeling.”
Since the classes began in March, students have received forklift training, Bobcat training, airbreaks, occupation first aid level 1 with transportation endorsement, plumbing, electrical, welding, carpentry, construction, drywall, tiling, chainsaw, WHMIS, transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and traffic control.
And now they will be building a permanent walkway cover that students and staff will enjoy for years to come.
“I’m really excited to start this Legacy Project. I think it will be great. And for a lot of the younger students in the class, I think that’s going to be something really cool for them,” said Polland. “They’ll be able to point at it and say ‘I helped with that project.’ It’s a pretty big deal. And I think it’s going to look nice when it’s done.”
This is a big undertaking, and the students will be doing most of the work says Polland.
“We’re going to have some guidance along the way, and if we need a little help they’ll be there to assist. But we’re going to be doing pretty much all the work.”
The students began work on the Legacy Project on Monday May 7, and are expected to be finished before their graduation in June.
