Bechtel invests $1 million in Wyoming trades training

Bechtel announced a $1 million investment in Laramie County Community College and Western Wyoming College to expand skilled-trades education in Wyoming, including a pipefitting pathway new to the state’s higher-education system and expanded electrical training. The funding will support instructors, curriculum, equipment and facilities; plans also include hands-on training and a mobile pipefitting unit to reach rural communities. Bechtel launched its statewide Build for More campaign to encourage students, families and educators to consider trades careers, as research found that adults generally view the trades favorably but many high school students have not considered them. LCCC President Joe Schaffer said schools lack enough capacity to introduce young people to these career options, underscoring the need to pair awareness efforts with expanded training access.