Western Nevada Construction Management students are building a brighter future — literally — thanks to a very generous $50,000 donation by NV Energy Foundation. This funding has powered the program with new, state-of-the-art power tools, a career-enhancing computer software program and other essential accessories. As a result, graduates will be better prepared to step into high-demand construction careers with the skills and confidence that employers demand.

“NV Energy Foundation is a visionary partner for WNC that has repeatedly made donations to help our students and improve their college experience on campus,” said WNC Professor Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. 

The additions and enhancements to the program provide students with a cutting-edge knowledge of today’s construction industry, including familiarity with the latest innovative equipment and technology used on construction sites.

In turn, these developments will help graduates become increasingly coveted for employment in the construction industry so they can pursue well-paying, high-quality jobs.

A key part of this donation enabled the Construction Management program to purchase BlueBeam construction software, which is used for PDF markups, digital workflows and project collaboration.

“Recommendations from the program’s advisory board helped with selecting what we needed for the program,” said WNC Construction Management Professor Nigel Harrison. “This will help our students with their resumés and make them more marketable with the skills that they will develop. It’s tremendous in the different ways that it’s going to benefit our students.”

 

Rodney Vonahsen uses a new miter saw donated by NV Energy.

Besides bringing a key construction software program to students, NV Energy Foundation’s donation allowed Harrison to purchase new Milwaukee impact wrenches, table and miter saws, balsa wood home framing kits, a lumber rack, a large fastener bin, and nails, screws and lumber. The framing kits enabled students to construct mini single-story homes to scale. The students carefully cut balsa wood to correct lengths and connected the pieces with pins, creating the framework used in building life-size homes.

Harrison said the small-scale project will help minimize mistakes when the students are working with real lumber.

“This will help a lot with organization and contribute to our efficiency in student projects,” he said.

“The NV Energy Foundation is honored to support WNC’s workforce development goal of providing effective pathways for students toward in-demand occupations,” said Ryan Bellows, NV Energy Vice President, Government and External Relations. “We are proud to invest in the future of our workforce where we are not only strengthening the local economy but also empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential.”

To learn more about WNC’s Construction Management program, go to wnc.edu/areas/construction, phone 775-445-4272 or email wcte@wnc.edu.

The single-story home framing kits constructed by Consruction Project Management students is on display in Dini Library. Professor Nigel Harrison's students were able to construct the balsa wood homes through a donation from NV Energy Foundation.