Foundation partners with Seedorff Masonry to fund workforce recruitment initiatives in Delaware County

A new opportunity is on the horizon for students in the West Delaware Community School District. The Skilled Craft Integration Program aims to create a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience for students that will accommodate in-person, virtual, and hands-on learning. Students will have the opportunity to join a “legacy” class project to showcase learned skills, increase visibility within the school district and community, and build a training center for future students. 

“Our goal is to give students an experience they won’t forget and skills that can create the foundation for future success. We’re going to position a career in construction as a first choice, not the last option,” says Mark Guetzko, CEO of Seedorff Holdings, Inc. 

The program, created in partnership by the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County, West Delaware Community School District, and Seedorff Masonry, Inc., was recently awarded a grant through the MBI-WORKS Endowment, a fund supported by the Master Builders of Iowa (MBI).

Funds from the endowment will be used for a pilot program in 2021 at West Delaware, which will create a model for additional collaborative partnerships that can be replicated throughout Iowa. 

The Foundation supports a variety of career preparation opportunities for Delaware County students, from scholarships to programs for learning welding and masonry, glass work, and nursing. 

“We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will offer our young people,” says Jerry Burke, chair of the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County advisory board. “Supporting successful families and building our local economy are among our top priorities, and this project aligns with both of those goals.”

Seedorff Masonry, Inc.is a full-service masonry contractor, serving the Midwest for more than 60 years. It has earned multiple awards for leadership in workforce recruitment, excellence in craftsmanship, masonry design, and community impact.  Their team is passionate about shaping the next generation of the construction industry. To learn more about SMI, visit www.seedorff.com.