EmployIndy’s YouthBuild Program Continues to Help Indy Youth
YouthBuild Indy will continue through 2015 under the guidance of EmployIndy with support of a $1.1 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. EmployIndy was selected as one of 74 programs to receive funding in 2012. EmployIndy has received funding for the program since 2007. Since then, YouthBuild Indy has prepared more than 140 young people for better careers.
Indianapolis, IN, November 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Today, YouthBuild Indy participant, Ms. Chambers is getting the education she needs to build a successful future for herself and her son. Prior to entering YouthBuild Indy, Ms. Chambers was tired of working low paying fast food jobs. It had been a way of life since she quit high school. She dropped out as a sophomore to be the sole provider for her son, who was not yet 1 year old. Her son, now 4, has seen his mother change her life through YouthBuild Indy and a lot of hard work.
YouthBuild Indy offers young people ages 18-24 the opportunity to expand education, develop job skills, and enhance leadership abilities.
YouthBuild Indy will continue through 2015 under the guidance of EmployIndy with support of a $1.1 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. EmployIndy was selected as one of 74 programs to receive funding in 2012. EmployIndy has received funding for the program since 2007. Since then, YouthBuild Indy has prepared more than 140 young people for better careers.
As a YouthBuild Indy participant, Ms. Chambers was challenged to develop an academic and career plan for her future. She decided that attending college was a must, so she studied hard to prepare for her GED exam. The first time she took the exam she passed each section, but needed to bring her average up in order to pursue post-secondary education. Even though she was disappointed by the results, she used her experience to motivate her to study more and retake the exam. After an additional two months of preparation, she took the exam again, increased her average and received her GED.
Preparing for and passing the GED exam is a challenge for many individuals who are lacking basic education skills. In 2011, the United States GED attainment rate for those who sat for the exam was 72.2 percent. Young people with additional barriers, such as teen mothers face even lower attainment rates – 51 percent of teen mothers obtain a degree by age 22. In 2011, YouthBuild Indy had a GED diploma attainment rate of 82.75 percent with five more students planning to retest.
In the fall of 2011, Ms. Chambers enrolled in an English class at Ivy Tech Community College. She then returned for the spring semester where she tackled a fulltime, 12-credit-hour schedule. She is pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Culinary Arts.
In addition to earning her GED and entering post-secondary education, Ms. Chambers gained skills and credentials to help build a strong foundation for her future. She earned her National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification, learned basic job skills, developed soft-skills, and attended parenting classes offered by the Marion County Health Department to help her better parent her son.
In the past, YouthBuild Indy focused exclusively on the construction field, but the new program expands occupational skills training to include healthcare and information technology, two of the fastest-growing occupations in Marion County.
“EmployIndy already invests significant training resources into information technology and healthcare for adult job seekers,” said Brooke Huntington, EmployIndy President and CEO. “The award of this YouthBuild funding, as well as the changes to YouthBuild regulations, will allow us to better prepare young people for the high-opportunity jobs of today and the future.”
Since 2007, YouthBuild Indy has given 143 young people the opportunity to expand their education, develop their job skills, and find employment. Through the program, 80 individuals earned their GED or high school diploma, 89 received an industry recognized certificate, 35 entered post-secondary education and 100 found employment. YouthBuild Indy provides:
-Customized GED instruction designed by the Marian University School of Education.
-Hands-on construction training while rebuilding a vacant house that will become home for a low-income or homeless family.
-The opportunity to earn an internationally-recognized construction skills credential.
-Leadership, life skills and community development opportunities.
-Preparation for and access to college and post-high school job training opportunities.
-Preparation and placement assistance for high-opportunity jobs.
-The opportunity to be paid during the program cycle.
With the announcement of the YouthBuild grant funding, EmployIndy has begun planning the next training cohort. Individuals interested in learning more can visit EmployIndy.org or call (317) 226-4224.
EmployIndy
EmployIndy is Marion County’s local workforce development organization dedicated to advancing workforce solutions for Indianapolis. EmployIndy manages the three WorkOne centers in Marion County and invests public and private funds for job training and education services to prepare a pipeline of skilled workers to fill the high demand jobs of today and in the future. Formed in 1983, EmployIndy is led by president and CEO Brooke Huntington. For more information visit www.EmployIndy.org or view the 2010-2011 Report to the Community.
YouthBuild Indy offers young people ages 18-24 the opportunity to expand education, develop job skills, and enhance leadership abilities.
YouthBuild Indy will continue through 2015 under the guidance of EmployIndy with support of a $1.1 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. EmployIndy was selected as one of 74 programs to receive funding in 2012. EmployIndy has received funding for the program since 2007. Since then, YouthBuild Indy has prepared more than 140 young people for better careers.
As a YouthBuild Indy participant, Ms. Chambers was challenged to develop an academic and career plan for her future. She decided that attending college was a must, so she studied hard to prepare for her GED exam. The first time she took the exam she passed each section, but needed to bring her average up in order to pursue post-secondary education. Even though she was disappointed by the results, she used her experience to motivate her to study more and retake the exam. After an additional two months of preparation, she took the exam again, increased her average and received her GED.
Preparing for and passing the GED exam is a challenge for many individuals who are lacking basic education skills. In 2011, the United States GED attainment rate for those who sat for the exam was 72.2 percent. Young people with additional barriers, such as teen mothers face even lower attainment rates – 51 percent of teen mothers obtain a degree by age 22. In 2011, YouthBuild Indy had a GED diploma attainment rate of 82.75 percent with five more students planning to retest.
In the fall of 2011, Ms. Chambers enrolled in an English class at Ivy Tech Community College. She then returned for the spring semester where she tackled a fulltime, 12-credit-hour schedule. She is pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Culinary Arts.
In addition to earning her GED and entering post-secondary education, Ms. Chambers gained skills and credentials to help build a strong foundation for her future. She earned her National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification, learned basic job skills, developed soft-skills, and attended parenting classes offered by the Marion County Health Department to help her better parent her son.
In the past, YouthBuild Indy focused exclusively on the construction field, but the new program expands occupational skills training to include healthcare and information technology, two of the fastest-growing occupations in Marion County.
“EmployIndy already invests significant training resources into information technology and healthcare for adult job seekers,” said Brooke Huntington, EmployIndy President and CEO. “The award of this YouthBuild funding, as well as the changes to YouthBuild regulations, will allow us to better prepare young people for the high-opportunity jobs of today and the future.”
Since 2007, YouthBuild Indy has given 143 young people the opportunity to expand their education, develop their job skills, and find employment. Through the program, 80 individuals earned their GED or high school diploma, 89 received an industry recognized certificate, 35 entered post-secondary education and 100 found employment. YouthBuild Indy provides:
-Customized GED instruction designed by the Marian University School of Education.
-Hands-on construction training while rebuilding a vacant house that will become home for a low-income or homeless family.
-The opportunity to earn an internationally-recognized construction skills credential.
-Leadership, life skills and community development opportunities.
-Preparation for and access to college and post-high school job training opportunities.
-Preparation and placement assistance for high-opportunity jobs.
-The opportunity to be paid during the program cycle.
With the announcement of the YouthBuild grant funding, EmployIndy has begun planning the next training cohort. Individuals interested in learning more can visit EmployIndy.org or call (317) 226-4224.
EmployIndy
EmployIndy is Marion County’s local workforce development organization dedicated to advancing workforce solutions for Indianapolis. EmployIndy manages the three WorkOne centers in Marion County and invests public and private funds for job training and education services to prepare a pipeline of skilled workers to fill the high demand jobs of today and in the future. Formed in 1983, EmployIndy is led by president and CEO Brooke Huntington. For more information visit www.EmployIndy.org or view the 2010-2011 Report to the Community.
Contact
EmployIndy
Kallie Sulanke
317-684-2218
www.employindy.org
Kallie Sulanke
317-684-2218
www.employindy.org
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