Local Scaffolding Safety Course Held in Traverse City Strengthens Workforce
A one-day MTI course on scaffolds and scaffold platforms took place Jan. 8 at the Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan, giving local construction workers and contractors practical training aimed at preventing workplace injuries. The seminar also highlighted efforts to reduce financial barriers to safety training through MIOSHA scholarships that can cover up to half the cost.
On Jan. 8, the Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan in Traverse City hosted an MTI Level One and Two elective course focused on scaffolds and scaffold platforms. The daylong seminar ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and carried a registration fee of $130. Registration for the event had opened Oct. 1, 2025, and closed Jan. 5, 2026.
The training was designed to improve on-the-job safety for those who build, maintain, or work on temporary elevated platforms. By covering practical standards and platform safety, the seminar aimed to reduce the risk of falls and other construction-related injuries that can strain families and local emergency medical services. For Grand Traverse County employers and workers, access to this kind of targeted training supports safer job sites and a more reliable construction workforce.
Access and affordability were central to the event’s planning. Scholarships administered through MIOSHA were available to cover up to 50 percent of the seminar fee, lowering financial barriers for smaller contractors, subcontractors, and individual workers who may otherwise struggle to afford continuing education. Organizers accepted registrations online via the Home Builders Association event page, by phone, or by email. Those with questions were directed to contact event coordinator Debbie Perkins at 231-946-2305 or debbie@hbagta.com.
Beyond immediate safety benefits, training sessions like this have broader public health and economic implications. Improved worker safety can reduce workplace injuries that lead to lost wages, increased workers’ compensation claims, and greater demand on local health care services. For communities still rebuilding and growing local housing and commercial projects, a better-trained workforce also helps ensure projects stay on schedule and meet safety compliance.
The course underscored persistent equity issues in workforce development: cost, time away from work, and availability of training in rural regions can limit participation. MIOSHA scholarship support addresses one barrier, but advocates say sustained investment and regular, locally accessible training will be necessary to make construction work safer and more inclusive across Grand Traverse County.
Residents and employers interested in similar future training or inquiring about scholarship opportunities can contact Debbie Perkins at the Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan at 231-946-2305 or debbie@hbagta.com.
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