Free Construction Degree Program

By Amie Grant, WTI.

Participants in the RISE program earn associates or bachelor degrees with no strings attached.

As we bid farewell to summer and embark on a new school year, I thought this would be a great time to give an update on our Construction Management degree program, which is part of our RISE (Roofing Individuals Succeed through Education) Initiative.

In case you haven’t heard about our program before, Tremco and WTI have partnered with The University of Akron to provide our employees with the opportunity to pursue Associate and/or Bachelor’s degrees in Construction Management.  Everything is online, so employees across the country can work on their coursework wherever they are, whenever it fits into their schedules.  In an industry so dependent on the weather – a rainy day can be a great opportunity to stay productive and work on an assignment.

There are no strings attached – nothing to pay back at any point and no requirement to commit to long-term employment.  It is a great opportunity to earn a degree without the burden of taking on thousands of dollars in student loan debt! 

So far, our employees in the program have been very successful - our average GPA is a 3.4!  I recently had a conversation with two of our Construction Management students about what made them decide to pursue their degrees and any advice they might give to someone who is on the fence about joining the program.  Jethro Barowski is a Field Resource Foreman in Iowa and Ron Tyson is a Field Resource Foreman in Ohio.

Jethro said, “I wanted to further my education to expand my knowledge of the job I do and to be better prepared to take a higher position in the company later in my career.”  Ron added, “WTI is a great company with many opportunities for those without a degree.  But by obtaining my degree, it will open up even more avenues for advancement and pave the way for a transition from the field to management.”

When asked about what advice they might give to someone considering the program, Ron suggested, “Talk to someone who is enrolled.  Reach out and learn what their schedule is like and talk through whatever concerns you have.”  Jethro agreed and said, “What are you waiting for?  This is an opportunity not to be taken lightly: the chance to further your education and your career – and to top it off there is no cost to you!” 

Lastly, let’s be honest – an online degree isn’t going to be for everyone.  And that’s okay!  There are plenty of other opportunities with WTI that might be just the right fit for you (like joining our federally sanctioned, nationally accredited Apprenticeship program).  But if you value flexibility and are self-motivated and comfortable with technology – this is a great chance to earn a degree (without taking out student loans!) in a field that is in high demand – while you gain valuable work experience at the same time! 

If you are interested in getting more information about coming to work for WTI and taking advantage of our Construction Management degree program, contact Amie Grant at agrant@wtiservices.com or (440) 371-1193. 

You can also fill out an interest form at www.wtirise.com and view our various career opportunities at www.careers.tremcoinc.com.

The two photos:  Jethro Barowski with Freddie Marin (Field Resource Foreman from Minnesota) and Cory Hernandez (Technician from Minnesota).  Ron Tyson with one of our RoofTec trucks.