How a grant, training is helping disadvantaged youth and adults learn construction and earn their GED

shutterstock_103572131A grant is helping youth and adults achieve their GED high school diploma equivalent and at the same time, it’s helping groom them for opportunities in the construction industry.

The $84,474 Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) grant from the Arizona Department of Education is providing disadvantaged youth and adults in Navajo and Apache counties with training as nationally certified construction workers and assistance with preparing for their GED, according to a report in the White Mountain Independent Online Edition.

The funding was awarded to Northland Pioneer College, in collaboration with the Navajo and Apache County Workforce Partnership (WIOA).

The “Building Homes – Building Futures” program integrates academic preparation and career skills training to prepare youth, those ages 16-year-old and older, and adults with below-college-level skills in math, reading and writing with a fast track to employment in the construction trades.

The construction industry was hard hit by the recession with job loss, and though it has been recovering, qualified, trained construction professionals are always needed.

This will allow these people to get ahead while benefitting the construction community.

For more about this program and grant, click here for the original report from the White Mountain Independent.