The Jefferson County Home Builders Association's (JCHBA) Residential Carpentry Program teaches basic carpentry skills to men and women. It began, in 2000, as the first building trades vocational training program in Jefferson County — a rural county with a lot of unemployed and underemployed residents.

JCHBA partnered with Peninsula College and the Chimacum School District to design and implement this hands-on construction training program.

The after-hours Residential Carpentry program is open to the general public; and runs from September through June. Enrolled in Peninsula College, the students earn six college credit hours per quarter, for a total of 18 credit hours. Classes are one evening per week (four hours) and one Saturday per month (eight hours).

Class sizes usually run between 18 and 24 students of all ages, from young adults to retired citizens. Many participants hold a full-time job while participating in the program. Others take the course as a career move, using the job retraining as a steppingstone to their future. Much of the first semester is concentrated on safety, industry-related math, as well as a general overview of residential building. During the second semester, more time is used for hands-on training, in class and on-site at various construction projects. Past projects include rest rooms at a local school soccer field and work on Habitat for Humanity homes.

Seed money for the program was initially provided by the Building Industry Association of Washington. Local patrons have donated to the cause, as well. The Chimacum School District provides their woodshop at no cost, since the class is also marketed to district high school students.

Being a joint venture with Peninsula College, the JCHBA's Residential Carpentry Program has the necessary credibility to allow many of its students to obtain financial aid, state and federal Workforce Retraining Funds — and college credit.

Rick Tollefson

Teaching the JCHBA's Residential Carpentry Program are Rick Tollefson and Fred Kimball, both well-respected Jefferson County contractors. This year, they asked retired contractor and educator Pete Raab to help instruct, as well. Since 1977, Tollefson's Tollshark Construction has been building fine homes and commercial buildings in Jefferson County. Kimball Woodworks has been active on the scene, since 1989.

Fred Kimball

"There were six contractors in the phone book when I started. Now there're well over a hundred," Tollefson said. A lot of these contractors need labor, but locally, there is a lack of young 20-to-30-something construction workers. Those who are trained are older — and, face it, bodies give out.

Training the local youth was one of the main motivators for Tollefson, Kimball and the JCHBA to first organize the Residential Carpentry Program.

The bottom line, according to Tollefson: More and more people with solid incomes are moving here and building high-dollar homes. Consequently, there'll be an increased need for others to provide services, which in turn, creates more of a demand for more moderately-priced homes.

"There's a responsibility being in business for a number of years. You become accountable to the community," Tollefson felt.

Tollefson and Kimball have proved a winning team, with personalities and skills that mesh well with each other and their multi-aged students.

"Part of what we're doing here is to pass on the knowledge that we've learned," Kimball added. "I made a conscious decision that I wanted to live where I want to live — and not live where I have to work."

With degrees in mining engineering and geological engineering (from the University of Idaho, 1975), Kimball worked mostly underground. Desiring to live in Jefferson County meant learning a different trade. Self-taught, he realizes the important training offered in the Residential Carpentry Program.

Tollefson, a 1970 University of Washington grad, majored in Fine Arts and Architecture.

"Being a contractor suits my personality. I like to build custom homes. It appeals to my creative side," Tollefson flashed an amicable grin. "It's really gratifying. You have something to show. But construction's not for everyone. It's hard work, but you get to work with great people."

By Sandy Hershelman