The City of Fayetteville’s Economic & Community Development department is working to invest in the services and skills of local contractors by offering a new course to the community.
Applications are open for the General License Prep Program, a guided course aimed at increasing the total number of licensed general contractors in the area by offering training and certifications to help them receive their general contractors license.
Each cohort for the program includes two, eight hour courses of classroom training conducted by instructors from Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). These courses are held on Saturdays at the Fayetteville- Cumberland- Regional Entrepreneur and Business HUB located on Fayetteville State University's campus and cover the following topics:
The program began with its first cohort in February of 2024. Ideal students for the program include those in the area who are already in the industry and looking to expand their services.
“They teach them how to actually pass the exam that's required by the North Carolina State Construction Exam Board,” said Economic Development Manager Derrick McArthur. “A lot of these students that come to be a part of this cohort, they've already been in this field, and this was just trying to help them get to the next level. That can be your handymen, those that have been working in construction and look forward to taking on bigger jobs where they need a general contractor license, those that have been doing some demos in the city, but now we want to see you taking on bigger jobs and taking on those contracting jobs.”
The course has already been successful in helping students receive licensing. Cohort graduate, Army Veteran and Owner of WIE Contracting and Consulting Services (WIECCS) Solomon Woods shared that he was able to get his unlimited building contractor license after taking the course which will allow him to expand his offerings of his company located in Erwin, N.C.
“This prep program was really critical to me getting kind of to where I am right now. Getting my contractors license was something that was on my list, but sometimes people need that extra kick to get jump started. Getting your contractor's license is dedication. You're not going to go to a couple day prep course and pass the exam it’s just not going to happen. You actually have to be dedicated,” said Woods.
He shared that the City’s renewed intention of hiring local contractors rather than outsourcing to other companies was one of the main reasons he pursued his license.
“It was something that I wanted to do, but I kept procrastinating. When I saw the prep course [online] and I signed up, that’s when I said ‘Ok, I’m going to do this.’ I would say for maybe two or three years, I put off trying to at least study for it because it's a daunting task. And if the quarter prep course wasn't there, I probably still would be procrastinating and finding a reason to not get my license,” said Woods.
Another Cohort graduate and Owner of Maybridge Development Latisha Perkins was able to receive her license to build after trying several times in the past studying solo.
“There was more guidance, there were professionals there that were able to assist and really guide us to what we should be focused on when we’re taking the exam. There’s a code book and it’s over 1,000 pages, there’s just so much to cover. So they really guide us to success,” shared Perkins.
During the course, a focus was given onto the contracting opportunities with the City of Fayetteville which led to Perkins being awarded a contract to develop two lots within the city into affordable housing.
“It's still in the early stages. Right now, we're doing a lot of planning and making sure that everything aligns so that we can exceed the expectations from the community and also the city,” shared Perkins.
According to McArthur, this course was created to help give program participants an edge when it comes to bidding on projects with the City of Fayetteville.
“The goal of this is to help those that are here increase their participation in government contracting and enhance employment prospects and improve job performance. It’s not just about learning how to pass the exam, it’s improving professional reputations in the area by them having their licenses and being insured,” said McArthur. “We’re working now to partner with our procurement office to see if there's something we can do in addition. We make sure that we keep them [cohort participants] updated about events on how to do business with the city, what's going out there: Request for Proposals, Request for Quotations.”
The class schedule for has already been set for 2025.
Upcoming class dates include:
Registration is free but required and can be done online at www.fayettevillenc.gov/GCLPP
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