Tramway Nonprofit Center’s Colorado Construction Institute Awarded Federal Grant Funding
ULC congratulates Colorado Construction Institute (CCI), a tenant in the Tramway Nonprofit Center, who was recently awarded $1.1 million in grant funding from the US Department of Labor. The funds for CCI YouthBuild program will further the organization’s work in providing at-risk youth with education and job training.
ULC is honored to call CCI a partner, and looks forward to working together on future projects!
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $1.1M Grant; “CCI YouthBuild” to Launch Fall 2014
August 7, 2014 — Colorado Construction Institute (CCI) is proud to announce it has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to administer a YouthBuild program. YouthBuild is a non-residential, community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to youth ages 16 to 24 who have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, have dropped out of high school or are otherwise at-risk of failing to reach key educational and career milestones.
CCI was one of 71 organizations selected from a national pool of applicants. This $1,100,000 grant will fund three years of programming for 72 Denver-area young adults. Each participant will spend 12 months with CCI as they work towards their high school diploma or GED, receive construction skills training, and perform paid work on construction sites throughout Denver.
“We are honored to receive such substantial recognition from the Federal Government,” said Michael Smith, Executive Director. “Adding YouthBuild to our operations dramatically expands programming capacity. We’re looking forward to cooperating with the State and Federal Government, the City/County of Denver, and all our non-profit and construction industry partners to build better futures for Colorado’s youth.”
The State of Colorado has one of the fastest growing construction sectors: Colorado Department of Labor & Employment projects growth upwards of 30% by 2022. CCI YouthBuild will bridge this gap, connecting unemployed youth with skills training and secondary education to prepare them to meet the massive demand for middle-skilled labor.
“YouthBuild allows us to fulfill our vision of maximizing community impact through neighborhood-specific workforce development that is coupled with work-experience opportunities at construction sites in those same neighborhoods,” continued Smith.
This grant would not have been possible without the support of several key collaborators. Special thanks to Urban Land Conservancy, DelWest Developers,and our curriculum partner Home Builders Institute for their input and commitments to CCI YouthBuild. Additional thanks to The Piton Foundation and our County Workforce Development Center partners for their unwavering support of the CCI mission.
CCI is working towards a Sustainable Solution to the Middle-Skilled Labor Shortage. This involves developing a workforce to meet the construction industry’s immediate need for labor, and its long-term need for skilled workers. We implement curricula that combine construction skills training with personal development and employability skills training. Our students’ education starts in the classroom, continues in construction laboratories, and is reinforced through hands-on field experience.
Recruitment starts today! Contact info@ccidenver.orgto be a part of CCI YouthBuild.
For more information visit www.ccidenver.org.