FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Vicki Hudson 616.234.4206
GRCC Partners with Goodwill to Create Unique Training
Program This Summer;
Twelve Ex-offenders with Disabilities to Participate
July 1, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids Community College and Goodwill Industries are working together to train a unique group of students in the skills needed for employment in the sustainable construction industry. All participants have some type of disability that impacts their ability to gain employment as well as a felony background.
The program, initiated by Goodwill, provides hands on, real life experience to develop skill sets to increase employability. The objective is to secure employment for the participants upon completion of the 11-week program in the construction industry. Goodwill selected twelve participants ages 24-50 through an interview process.
This program is supported through a unique partnership between GRCC, Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Kent/Allegan Michigan Works.
These individuals need real creditable work experience and will receive a credential in green construction at the end of the 11-week program which should make them even more attractive to today’s construction firms.
Students will learn in the classroom as well as on the construction site, developing a model green home to be used for community education and working on existing homes for Habitat for Humanity. Hands on learning focuses on the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Curriculum and the completion of a project in the construction lab.
“I have been so impressed with GRCC. They have been so flexible and solution-oriented. They never responded with, ‘Well, we don’t do that’. They have been creative, thoughtful and extremely responsive to our needs in a very short amount of time,” said Dan Buron, Chief Workforce Development Officer. Michigan Rehabilitation Services received a grant from the state but needed to complete the project quickly.
By partnering with GRCC, Goodwill, Habitat and Michigan Works the project was off the ground in record time. “We really want this to succeed. We don’t look at this as a one-time thing. We would like to repeat this program. It gives these individuals the best chance to succeed in our society and demonstrate that they can make a positive contribution to the community,” said Dan Buron, Goodwill Industries.
In 2008, Grand Rapids Community College’s Workforce Training staff trained over 9,000 people from all over Michigan. Training areas include but are not limited to: Alternative Energy, Business and Entrepreneurship, Health Care, Innovation, Manufacturing, and Sustainable Construction.
Story contacts:
Phillip Greene - Program Manager GRCC (616)-234-3811
Karen Awe -Rehabilitation Counselor - Michigan Rehabilitation Services (616)-242-6481
Dan Buron - Chief Workforce Development Officer - Goodwill Industries (616)-532-4200
Chris Hall - Director of Construction - Habitat for Humanity (616)-774-2431, ext. 236
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