Bill's Building Blog

EPA RRP lead-safe class with The Prince's Foundation apprentices

This week I had the pleasure of teaching the RRP certification class to a group of apprentices who are learning traditional building crafts thanks to Prince Charles and The Prince's Foundation For the Built Environment.

As you can see, these young folks are having fun in the class, as young folks are wont to do. This program is being co-sponsored by the highly esteemed Preservation Resource Center in New Orleans.

You know, I could have fun doing this every day of the week. If you have any young or young-at-heart people who need RRP certification, please let me know.

NEW Train2Rebuild DVD
On-the-Job Training: RRP Lead-Safe Practices

Training News — The Prince Charles Foundation in New Orleans

As you know, there is not much good, organized construction training going on anywhere in the country. However, there are exceptions, such as Skills USA and a few others. 

One remarkable program happening right now in New Orleans is officially titled "The Prince of Wales's New Orleans Renewal and Building Crafts Training Program."

The Prince's Program, as it is known locally, is a joint venture between: 

• The Princes Foundation for the Built Environment, 

• The Carpenters Union,

• Delgado Community College, and

*  The Preservation Resource Center. 

In this six-month program, student apprentices are trained in old-world craftsmanship, working to rehab Katrina-damaged homes, in the disciplines of rough carpentry, millwork, plastering, masonry and millwork.

My role: I am a site supervisor that coordinates several different entities — Delgado, the Carpenter's Union, PRC — to keep the job moving in a timely manner.