For Building Construction and Welding
All training program tuition and fees are covered by the WRTP grant. (The WRTP grant ends August 31, 2025.)
What is the goal of the WRTP?
On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach in Bay County as a Category 5 storm. The hurricane then moved northeast across several Florida counties before traveling into Georgia and across the southeastern United States. As one of the strongest hurricanes on record, Hurricane Michael caused unprecedented damage to housing, businesses, and infrastructure in Florida’s Panhandle. The increased demand for construction activities created or increased the supply gap in many construction occupations. Most issues related to construction and repair delays were due to the skilled worker shortage in the region. The goal of this program is to provide training in the construction trades in order to increase skilled workers in our region.
What training is offered through the WRTP? 
- Safety Training
- Masonry
- Building Construction Helper
- Building Construction Technician 1
- Building Construction Technician 2
- Introduction to Carpentry
- Rough Framing Carpentry
- Finish Trim Carpentry
- Foundation
- Electrical
- Welder Assistant 1
- Welder Assistant 2
- Welder SMAW 1
- Welder SMAW 2
- Welder
Am I eligible for tuition assistance through the WRTP?
- Authorized to work in the United States
- At least 18 years of age
- Provide proof of identity
Individuals are not guaranteed assistance, but will be served based on availability of funds and qualifications for benefits.
How do I apply for the WRTP?
For individuals seeking to receive training, career services, or other benefits through the WRTP, you must complete an application by:
- Completing the online application; or
- Contacting Joli Hartzog, WRTP Program Manager at Chipola College at hartzogj@chipola.edu; or
- Visiting Joli Hartzog at the Chipola College campus.
Your application will be reviewed to ensure accuracy, to verify no questions were missed, and to verify your eligibility. Use the Application Checklist (Spanish/Haitian Creole) to make sure you have all required documents.
Services Offered
- Resume assistance
- Interview preparation
- Employability skills
- Provision of information on market demand, vacancy listings, job skills requirements for vacancy listings, and wage information
- Job search assistance
- Career counseling
- Individual employment plans
- Referral and direct employment opportunity assistance
- Paid tuition and program fees
- Paid textbook costs
- Paid training supplies and protective gear
- Paid industry certication test fees
- Identifying barriers to program participation and recommending ways to remove such barriers, including provision of support services or referral to other support services providers
- Tutoring
- Language translation for limited English speakers
Manuals
Class Schedules
Contact Information
Program Director
Darwin Gilmore
(850) 718-2270
Chipola College
3094 Indian Circle
Marianna, FL 32446
gilmored@chipola.edu
Program Manager
Joli Hartzog
(850) 718-2457
Chipola College
3094 Indian Circle
Marianna, FL 32446
HartzogJ@chipola.edu
This training is made available through the FloridaCommerce’s Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program. Launched with federal Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funding to assist communities affected by Hurricane Michael, the Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program trains Floridians in the construction trades necessary to support disaster recovery efforts. For more information visit www.RebuildFlorida.gov.