Twenty Students Honored at Caltrans Heavy Highway Construction Trades Academy Graduation

BLUE LAKE - Caltrans recently celebrated the graduation of twenty students from the Heavy Highway Construction Trades Academy at Blue Lake Casino's Sapphire Palace. This inaugural class from Humboldt County represents not only an achievement for the graduates but also an important step toward meeting the growing demand for skilled labor in the construction industry.

The seven-week program helps individuals from underserved communities gain certifications and skills that boost economic mobility and help fill workforce shortages in the construction field. Caltrans partnered with the Baker Technical Institute, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board to deliver the academy.

"It's an incredible honor to be a part of this program," academy graduate Michaela Jones said. "I am feeling really proud of myself and all the other students in the class, and I'm grateful to everybody who was able to come together and put this on."

This specialized academy offers comprehensive classroom and field training. Graduates received certifications in operating equipment such as dozers and excavators. This dual approach ensures that students are not only familiar with safety protocols and operational techniques but also build the hands-on experience needed to be job-ready.

Baker Technical Institute President Doug Dalton said, "There's a lot in seven weeks, and this is what industries said they want to see on a resume, so the academy puts them in a position to be highly employable."

Guest speakers at the event included Baker Technical Institute President Doug Dalton, Caltrans Office of Civil Rights Chief Marjani Rollins, Caltrans District 1 Maintenance Manager Paul Johnson, Humboldt County District 2 Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, Humboldt County Workforce Development Board Executive Director Peggy Murphy, and Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Council Member Jace Baldosser.

Rollins said these graduation ceremonies are the best part of her job. "The academy builds confidence in people and shows that they can do things they never imagined. To have 20 out of 20 people finish is phenomenal. We are so proud of these graduates."

To learn more about the program, visit https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/workforce-development-branch/heavy-highway-construction-trades-academies or call (541) 524-2651.

Watch a video of the graduation ceremony and hear from the graduates.