Kalispel Career Training Center (KCTC)
Improving our Workforce to Benefit our Community
Historically, Pend Oreille County has had above average unemployment rates, hovering between 11.5% and 13.9%. Recognizing the need to prepare well-trained, educated persons to the local workforce, the Kalispel Tribe, along with community partners have developed the Kalispel Career Training Center (KCTC). KCTC provides youth and adults vocational training needed to acquire living wage jobs in the community.
It is vital to the Kalispel Tribe that community members are given an opportunity to fulfill dreams and expand their knowledge. KCTC provides vocational training and work-based learning to any community member who wants to increase their skill set in preparation for self-sustaining employment opportunities. Each individual is given the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual while completing projects that better the community in which they live. Through this process they are introduced to area industry leaders both within Tribal Departments and throughout the surrounding areas, making valuable connections to sustain self-supporting employment. KCTC takes great care in helping an individual ignite their passions and challenge themselves to accomplish their goals.
Kalispel Career Training Center partners with the Associated General Contractors
Together KCTC and AGC are teaching our youth the construction trade.
The summer of 2020 while everyone was trying to navigate COVID 19, seven youth from the Kalispel Reservation graduated from “Head Start to the Construction Trades.” Kalispel Career Training Center partnered with the Associated General Contractors to deliver the curriculum. Funding was provided from the Kalispel Tribe Summer Youth Program, Seattle City Light and Group Health Foundation. “Head Start to the Construction Trades,” took up six weeks of the youth’s summer providing OSHA 10 & Forklift Certifications. The class had an introduction to hand tools, power tools, construction math, demolition, carpentry, heavy equipment operation, shop safety, welding & fabrication.
Funding for summer 2021 has been secured! So watch for information next spring on how you or your family member can be a part of this fabulous program!
For more information contact:
| Name | Position | Email Address | Phone Number |
| Colene Rubertt | KCTC Director | Crubertt@kalispeltribe.com | (509)370-8170 |
Kalispel Metal Products & Case Line
Kalispel Metal Products employs certified welders whom work with welding apprentices from KCTC on welding & custom fabrication products as well as Kalispel Case Line aluminum gun cases. Products are sold to Tribal Departments as well as private entities. These services and/or products income is used to support the pre-apprenticeship programs at KCTC.
KCTC Trainees Built All Eight Tiny Homes at Kalispel RV Resort.
In partnership with Garco Construction, The Carpenters – Employers Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund, and Innovia Foundation, Kalispel Career Training Center completed eight tiny homes that have been placed at Kalispel RV Resort in Cusick, Washington. KCTC trainees learned valuable construction and job skills while also contributing to the economic development of the Kalispel Tribe and the community. For more information, call Colene Rubertt, Director of Career Training and Mentoring at (509) 447-7440.
Departments utilize KCTC for specialized trainings in fields like:
- Welding/Fabrication
- Forklift operation (shop)
- Mold abatement
- Diesel Repair & Maintenance
- OSHA 10
- Confined Space
- CDL
If you or your department would like to receive training in these areas or customized skilled trade/certified training, please call:
| Name | Position | Email Address | Phone Number |
| Colene Rubertt | KCTC Director | Crubertt@kalispeltribe.com | (509)370-8170 |