COVINGTON – A construction trades school is opening in Latonia as part of the Enzweiler Building Institute.
This announcement comes after Covington began planning a school focused on restoration trades, which is scheduled to begin classes next year. Those classes will be offered at the new Latonia campus, according to a news release.
More:New Covington-funded NKY trade school to focus on historic building renovation
The Enzweiler Building Institute, of the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky, is based in Erlanger. The Latonia school is being called "the Covington campus" and will offer programs on carpentry, welding, electricity, HVAC and plumbing beginning in September 2022. It will also offer an introduction to trades program for high school students.
Certificates will take one to four years to obtain, depending on the program. Classes during the day will be focused on high school students, with adult classes being offered in the evenings.
The construction trades program is meant to target underemployment and help the construction industry fill a need for skilled workers. It also makes classes more accessible to those in the area who may not be able to travel to the current campus in Erlanger, according to a press release.
“Investment in this program demonstrates how important it is for Covington residents to develop the skills needed to both improve their future and fuel the economic momentum that will continue through the decade or so as we build out Covington’s Central Riverfront," Tom West, Covington's economic development director, said in a press release.
The school will lease 8,000 feet of spaces formerly occupied by Check Exchange and Rent to Own, which are owned by Latonia Commerce LLC, a group of investors that bought the plaza earlier this year. The plaza is located near the former Value City and Burlington Coat Factory big box stores.
A fourth of the spots in the program will be reserved for Covington residents and students. Tuition is expected to cost $2,625 to $3,775 per academic year, and scholarships are available.
The Covington Board of Commissioners approved $200,000 in financial support for the school over five years, including $60,000 the first year. The money comes from a fund meant to encourage economic activity in Covington. The total lease for the campus will cost $1.22 million. The Enzweiler Building Institute began a capital funding campaign and is recruiting investors to help fund the project. It is also applying for funds through the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board.
“Of all the decisions we’ve made over the last year, none is more important than this one,” Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said. “This gives people who live in Covington a serious opportunity to access a high-demand, high-wage training program.”
Applications for the school are available on the building institute's website.
Northern Kentucky reporter Rachel Berry can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @racheldberry.
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