TERO SPONSORS CAREER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BAND MEMBERS LEARN TRADE OF CEMENT CONSTRUCTION
Story and photos by Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe TERO department and the Min nesota Department of Transportation sponsored a week-long Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Hands-on Concrete Training in Vineland in mid-October with a graduation ceremo ny held on October 18, 2024. Participants spent half of each day with classroom instruction at the Aanjibimaadizing build ing and the other half each day was spent in hands-on training out in the field at an ADA project at the DNR Building. Participants installed an ADA-accessible concrete entrance and sidewalks at the DNR building.
The program included providing information in the class room followed with hands-on training experience. This was a great way to learn and understand skills needed in any proj ect. Students were instructed on how to build and inspect ramps, curbs, and walkways that comply with the ADA, Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines, and MnDOT standards. Training included reading plans, grading, and erosion control, building forms, and inspecting.
Participants graduating from the course received ADA Certifi cation that will maximize employment and career opportunities. All participants also received tools necessary to perform the tasks that will open doors for a successful career in cement masonry.
Participants also had the opportunity to tour the MnDOT world headquarters in Baxter to learn about various career opportunities available through MnDOT.
There were 11 Band members participating in this opportunity: Animikence Aubid, Sarah Banks, Joshuah Benjamin, Rodney Boyd, Shane Goodwin, Mariah Harrington, William Sayers, Collin Smith, Preston Smith, Davonte Spears, and Reuben Staples-Gibbs. Lori Trail, TERO Director for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe was instrumental in the organization of the project and offered space, guidance, and assistance to make this training possible.
TERO has previously provided other similar training opportunities and offers job/career openings: MNDOT TERO/IUOE LOCAL 49 Spring Training, Equipment Operators Training, LIUNA Construction Industry Career Fair, Fond Du Lac Construction Project TERO Fair, Job Fairs, Construct Tomorrow event, MnDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction Training and Job Placement Program, Job Announcements, and Apprenticeship Announcements.
The program also facilitates relationship-building among Tribal governments, Tribal members, small business consultants and subcontractors, prime contractors and MnDOT offices. The program has been primarily funded through Advancing Equity, Civil Rights and the tribes.