(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the announcement by
the U.S. Department of Labor that seven communities across Washington state
will be receiving funding for YouthBuild programs to provide education and
training to local young people.
“Young
people have been among the hardest hit in this economic recession, so it’s more
important than ever that we make the right investments to make sure they have
the skills and education they need to succeed in the workplace and throughout
their lives,” said Senator Patty Murray. “
Among
young people between ages 16 and 19, the unemployment rate (April 2011) was
24.9%, virtually unchanged from a year ago.
The
following communities in Washington state received funding:
-
Seattle: YouthCare—$1,073,819
YouthCare’s
maintains articulation agreements with South Seattle Community College enabling
project participants to receive college credit. The campus currently
collaborates with a number of Joint Apprenticeship Committees to provide
related and supporting courses for apprentices and journey workers. The program
will develop and operate a green construction track, providing training and
certifications in green construction techniques to position graduates to enter
into this fast-growing industry. YouthCare’s YouthBuild partners with the King
County Department of Transportation to provide a van to transport project
participants to and from the classroom and the work site. -
Bellingham:
Lummi
Nation Housing Authority—$1,098,000The
program will recruit specifically from the tribal community and the
Reservation. Youth will be dual-enrolled at the Northwest Indian College to
earn post-secondary credit while enrolled in the program. Lummi YouthBuild will
work in conjunction with the Lummi National Housing Authority on the Repair and
Rehab program providing hands on experience in construction including roofing,
siding, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, flooring and cabinetry as well as
a variety of “green” weatherization techniques and practices. The program
provides youth with training and a readiness “package” which include tools,
gear, clothing, books, resume, current Driver’s License, documentation of all
their certifications, fact sheets, contacts for area apprenticeship programs,
post-secondary education institutions, and employers. - Spokane: NorthEast Washington Educational Service
District 101—$1,088,076Every YouthBuild Spokane graduate will have established financial
support for at least one quarter of college. Additional financial support will
be obtained through co-enrollment in the AmeriCorps program with an ability to
earn a $1,000+ education award. Volunteers of America will provide support and
advocacy for former foster care students to access scholarships. Based on the
Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ model, participants will develop a relationship with
a mentor from the construction industry and valuable contacts who can later
provide job references. Participants focusing on a specific trade will also be paired with a mentor and placed in a job shadow
or paid internship in the field. Youth will have the option of enrolling as
part- and full-time AmeriCorps members on the construction team, and after
completing 300 hours will earn a $1,000 education award. -
Yakima:
Opportunities
Industrialization Center of Washington (OIC)—$1,100,000The
program uses a complete interactive training system for career readiness skill,
KeyTrain. YouthBuild participants also have many opportunities to improve their
computer skills. WorkSource Washington, a One Stop Partner, has contracted with
Microsoft and is providing Microsoft e-learning online courses and
certifications. YouthBuild participants are able to access these courses in
OIC’s educational center. Each graduate has lifetime access to Opportunities
Investment Centers to continue enhancing academic and job search skills, advice
and support as needed. -
Tacoma: Tacoma Goodwill—$1,100,000
A
matriculation agreement with Bates Technical College ensures that once youth
earn a high school diploma or GED, each has the opportunity to begin earning
college credits by taking developmental education courses to help bridge the
gap between adult basic education and 100-level college courses, preparing
students for college-level course work. Youth will build two new low-income
single family homes, and rehabilitate or modify at least four older homes. -
Everett: Workforce Development Council Snohomish
County—$798,680The
program will operate in a rural community experiencing extremely high dropout
rates and rapidly rising gang activity. Classroom training provided by Edmonds
Community College and Everett Community College using the innovative,
evidence-based Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST)
instructional model which pairs academic and professional-technical instructors
in the classroom to enhance students’ literacy, work readiness, and
occupational skills simultaneously. All construction training will be “green
from the ground up” and all homes constructed will meet Energy Star
certification requirements. Community service projects include senior chore
service assistance and building ramps for people with disabilities. -
Olympia: Community Youth Services—$1,080,000
The
program will serve both urban and rural neighborhoods in Thurston County and
surrounding areas. Youth will benefit from the use of the Apex digital
curriculum which offers individual instruction to support success to all
students from the academically challenged to the more advanced. Academic
credits will be earned through an agreement with South Puget Sound Community College
and two local technical colleges. Links to potential employment exist through
articulation agreements with the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Laborers for direct entry to unions; and mentoring and pre-apprenticeship
opportunities through partnership with the Washington Building and Trades
Council. Youth will build permanent and transitional housing for Thurston
County’s growing homeless population using “green” construction methods to take
advantage of the environmentally conscious business and construction growth in
the Northwest.
YouthBuild
assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing
occupational training in the construction industry. YouthBuild participants include
individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of
foster care, high school dropouts and others. In addition to receiving
academic and occupational skills training, young people develop leadership
skills and participate in community service opportunities.
The
Labor Department held a competition for applications in fall 2010. A first round of
were awardees were announced in March 2011.
