MPCC’s ready-to-work program in Ogallala recognized nationally

Mid-Plains Community College Ogallala Campus’ Ready-to-Work: Building Construction Homes for Heroes program received a funding boost following a national pitch competition.

MPCC Ogallala Campus Administrator Mary Pierce and MPCC Dean of Outreach Gail Knott recently showcased the program during the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Innovation in the Heartland Annual Conference held in Bloomington, Minn.

As a result of the program’s innovative approach, MPCC was awarded $20,000 from the Ratcliffe Foundation.

“We’re so grateful for these funds,” Pierce said. “This will allow us to move this program forward.”

Last spring, the MPCC Ogallala campus offered its inaugural Ready-to-Work Building Construction program. The course was designed to equip students with essential construction skills while addressing the critical need for skilled trades workers in western Nebraska. Led by instructor Casey Craig, students built a multi-use structure.

The initial program morphed into Ready-to-Work Building Construction: Homes for Heroes after the structure was purchased by The Connection, Lincoln County’s homeless shelter.

The building will become the laundry facility, anchoring a tiny home veteran community on property owned by The Connection in North Platte. The tiny homes will be built by students in the Ready-to-Work program at Ogallala and purchased by The Connection.

Craig said the building of tiny homes will be a huge benefit to the students and the local workforce.

“Housing is one of our most basic human needs and without it, individuals experience higher rates of chronic physical and mental health conditions, violence and mortality,” said Ashley Lewis, Director of The Connection. “The Connection Homeless Shelter is grateful to partner with Mid-Plains Community College in creating accessible, quality housing for our veterans who are experiencing homelessness through the Ready-to-Work program.” 

Students are currently being recruited for the non-credit program, and those who successfully complete it will be awarded a certificate of achievement.

In addition to the Ratcliffe Foundation funds, the college was awarded a one-year subscription to SkillPointe, a technology platform that provides a pathway for in-depth career exploration for students. The Ready-to-Work program also is supported by a Teaching Nebraska Trades grant from Nebraska Investment Finance Authority. Additional funding sources and in-kind donations continue to be sought.

For further information on the program, partnerships and student recruitment, contact Pierce or Knott at piercem@mpcc.edu or knottg@mpcc.edu.