Marrick Homes Recognized for Support of Trades Programs

LA PLATA, Md. (December 20, 2011)—The College of Southern Maryland recognized Marrick Homes for support of the college's trades programs by naming the CSM Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET) carpentry lab in the company's honor.

"We can't tell you enough what your donations have meant to our students and the college. It's not just the tuition-it's someone saying 'we believe in you'," said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. Gottfried added that federal funds available to students taking credit courses to advance their careers, are not available for non-credit trades courses. "Support from Marrick Homes can offset the funds it requires for students to take the courses necessary for certification," Gottfried said.

Marrick Homes has donated more than $280,000 to CSM, including a $100,000 endowment for scholarships to students in trades programs.

"In these times we've had to concentrate on programs where our community support can make the greatest impact-the College of Southern Maryland's presence in all three counties is identical to Marrick's footprint," said Marrick Homes Vice President Rick Bailey Jr. "In addition to providing the skills training to students, CSM provides people skills training. Students leave here prepared to work on the job, and they'll know how to talk to customers-that's huge." Another factor in Marrick's decision to support trades programs at CSM is the enthusiasm of CTET's director, Frank Guertler, said Bailey. "Frank knows what employers want and he makes sure students leave here with those skills."

With more than 35 years in the construction business, that included management of several $100 million projects, Guertler oversees CTET's carpentry, electrical, HVAC, welding and plumbing programs. During Marrick's recent tour of CTET facilities in Waldorf, Guertler showed off the welding lab's five new welding booths bringing the total to 15, the HVAC lab's diagnostic equipment as well as components used in geothermal units, and the carpentry lab's two-story units used by students in the electrical and plumbing programs.

With projected job growth of almost 1.1 million positions in the next 20 years, jurisdictions in the Washington area will need to add more than 730,000 housing units, according to a study by the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. An employment forecast by HIS Global insight for 2010-2030 point to 94,928 new construction jobs in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

"More than 1,200 students have come through CTET in fiscal year 2011," said Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Daniel Mosser. "We expect that number to reach 1,500 students this coming year."

"Workers have had a tough few years as the economy stalled. Businesses, like Marrick, with the foresight to invest in training construction workers now, are not only changing lives, they are contributing to the overall prosperity of our community," said Gottfried.

"Trades jobs are good jobs," said Guertler. "You take three courses for $2,000 and get two to six certifications and you will be ready to work."

The center will host an open house for its trades programs on Jan. 19 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

CTET, located at 17 Irongate Drive in Waldorf, opened in fall 2009. The center's Career Starters programs consist of 10-16-week intensive noncredit career training courses designed for the trades and energy industries for occupations such as carpenters, electricians, welders, HVAC and plumbing. CTET's carpentry programs provide up to four years of training to prepare students to work on both residential and commercial projects to specifically frame-up and install windows, doors and roofing materials. The carpentry lab is outfitted with specialized equipment such as chop saws, mitre saws and other hand and power tools typically found on the job site.

Students who complete the entry-level Carpenter Career Starters program receive certification from CSM, and an opportunity to pursue membership in the carpentry union a few rungs up the ladder from others entering the union without a certificate, said CSM Carpentry Instructor Robert Skatezes. To earn a CSM continuing education certificate, students enroll in Entry-Level Carpenter 1 and 2, American Red Cross CPR and Basic First Aid, and OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety.

Entry-level carpenter certification, with OSHA safety card and Red Cross first aid certification, will qualify students for entry-level positions with a framing contractor or general construction firm that specializes in wood frame projects.

Those who complete the program will gain preferred entrance and advancement within the carpentry union apprenticeship program through the Mid-Atlantic Carpenter's Training Centers (MACTC).

Including support for trade programs, Marrick Homes has given their support to the Veterans Education Fund, CSM Foundation Annual Golf Classic golf tournament, CSM Leonardtown Campus technology, CSM Prince Frederick Campus technology, athletics, St. Charles Children's Learning Center on CSM's La Plata Campus, Elaine Ryan Legacy Fund and programs that support the arts.

For information on Career Starters programs, visit http://www.csmd.edu/CareerStarters/

For information on providing scholarship opportunities to students in the trades, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation/TradesAndEnergy.html.