CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In one Charlotte classroom, there’s a lesson being learned in second chances.

  • At the Mecklenburg County’s northern detention center, the women wearing the hard hats, are doing hard time.
  • This month, the students became the jail’s second all-female class to earn a national construction certificate, under the National Craft Assessment and Certification Program.
  • Organizer’s say once completed, the certification never expires.

At the Mecklenburg County’s northern detention center, the women wearing the hard hats, are doing hard time.

 

 

 

 

 

“We’re usually seen as starting from rock bottom,” student Shannon Putnam said. “There’s a lot of pride behind it, especially when we see our end result.”

Out of wood work comes worth.

This month, the students became the jail’s second all-female class to earn a national construction certificate, under the National Craft Assessment and Certification Program.

Student Kinya Adams did the two-week course with her daughter and son in mind.

“I want them to know that anything is possible,” she said.

Like, construction is not just for men, it’s for women, too. The students build podiums that will serve the Mecklenburg County parks department.

Students learn basic rigging safety and power tools.

Organizer’s say once completed, the certification never expires.