On Saturday, April 9, the GCA Trades Academy presented 56 level completion certificates to Guam Department of Education high school students at the GCA Trades Academy Tiyan Training Facility. The students receiving the certificates completed courses in the Core Curriculum and Construction Craft Laborer levels one and two.

The GDOE and the GCA Trades Academy partnership allows high school students to earn graduation credit by taking trades academy classes. Nationally recognized credentials are also earned through NCCER.

The program is administered by the Guam Department of Education (DOE) - Federal Programs Division (FPD), and funded by the U.S. Department of Education Consolidated Grant to the Outlying Areas.

Currently 300 local construction workers and high school students are enrolled in the GCA Trades Academy. Founded in September 2006, more than 4,400 students have been trained at the GCA Trades Academy which was established to provide a nationally recognized industry skills training center (credentialed by NCCER), support U.S. Department of Labor recognized apprenticeship training programs, and to support the skilled labor needs of construction contractors and related industries doing business on Guam. Instructors are local construction professionals trained to teach the NCCER program.

The GCA Trades Academy offers a wide variety of training programs including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, construction craft laborer, safety, project management, welding, and heavy equipment operation. With classes open to all abilities and levels, the GCA Trades Academy strives to improve skills and empower the region’s workforce.