WCU construction management students earn OSHA 30 from Wayne Brothers
By BILL STUDENC
Students in Western Carolina University’s Kimmel School of Construction Management are getting a no-cost head start on important industry certifications that will give them an advantage as they graduate and go into professional careers, thanks to ongoing corporate support from Wayne Brothers Inc.
A construction services company headquartered in Davidson, Wayne Brothers has contributed nearly $6,000 in funding that will enable Occupational Safety and Health Administration training for more than 100 WCU construction management students. Additional commitments from the company totaling $15,000 over a five-year period will expand the OSHA training opportunities to an even larger pool of students.
Through the Wayne Brothers-funded initiative, Mickey Henson, assistant professor in the Kimmel School, has completed the required courses to be an OSHA-verified trainer and received certification enabling him to teach the safety courses to construction management students during the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters.
The funding also is covering the cost of first-aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator training, providing an additional jump start for WCU students after graduation, said Jason Sisk, director of safety and human resources for Wayne Brothers.
“We believe this training will be a significant benefit to the students when they graduate with OSHA 30-hour, first aid and CPR certification. It will provide readiness for them to go to work, either as an intern or as a step in a professional career,” said Sisk, who earned his bachelor’s degree industrial technology in 2002 and his master’s degree in technology in 2004, both from WCU.
Safety is the primary motivation for the support of WCU’s construction management program, Sisk said. “In our industry, safety is our top priority. It is engrained in our company culture,” he said. “We got involved in this effort to protect the lives of people and prevent incidents in the industry. Even if these students graduate and don’t come to work for Wayne Brothers, they will help spread that culture of safety throughout the industry.”
In addition to its financial contributions, Wayne Brothers also provides support to the construction management program by participating in student career fairs, sending representatives to serve as class speakers, and offering internship and employment opportunities, said Sisk, who sits on WCU’s Construction Management Advisory Board and its executive committee.
University officials estimate that the company’s monetary contribution will result in more than $47,000 in cost savings to the construction management program, compared to the cost of external OSHA-30 training for WCU students.
In addition, certified faculty members will be able to offer OSHA training to industries and individuals across Western North Carolina through WCU’s professional development program offerings.
For more information about corporate support opportunities, contact the Division of Advancement at 828-227-7124 or advancement@wcu.edu or visit the website give.wcu.edu.
