Building bridges to the future for veterans
The A, B, C’s of construction are going on inside the classroom and outside of it. Aspen Pointe is building up hope for Southern Colorado veterans. Phil Larish is an Air Force veteran who is also a construction veteran in charge of the education, “Someone told you watch, you learn, you observe and ask questions and then you go do it and teach someone else.”
Larish is proud of what he believes is a vital link to beginners in the construction industry who want to make it a career and help veterans who have been in the industry for a while brush up on new skills and get fresh training. Retired Air Force veteran, Captain Robert Dewey is an eager student, even with years of experience, “There are a lot of gaps. Coming down to Aspen Pointe helps fill in the gaps and be better at what I would like to do.”
Recently, this group of construction students spent time at Venetucci Farm doing interior framing in the barn. Larish says it was more than just free labor, “We taught them skills including how to put walls together, how to cut, how to be accurate and also do angles, math.”
Larish tells me this is the second year for this program that’s had more than fifty students move on with a new career and help others refresh their skills for an even better career. Grants help pay for the veterans training.
Aspen Pointe and all it does for veterans makes them Wear Red Friday Heroes in my book. You may know someone or an organization that is deserving of this honor. Go back to our main page, Red Friday section and nominate them.
