GODFREY, Illinois — An Illinois job training program is providing young people with an alternative path to a high school diploma and a viable future.
The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition at Lewis and Clark College in Godfrey, Illinois, prepares students for careers in construction, transportation logistics, computers or healthcare. The Americorps component of this federal program provides students with soft skills and income while helping them get into a position to qualify for a mortgage in the future.
“Sometimes we rehab a home and sometimes we build from the ground up,” Dr. Valorie Harris, Lewis and Clark College associate dean of adult education, said.
Harris said the program is currently working on their fifth home. The full-time, non-traditional program provides education, vocational training and leadership development at a work site or in a classroom and workshop.
The program provides students not only an Illinois high school diploma but also a start on what to do with it toward a career. Harris calls it a comprehensive youth development effort. The program is 30 hours a week. Students spend five days a week in the program from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
It sounds like school because it is.
“Youthbuild was modeled on construction,” Harris said. “Most of our students start in construction. It’s almost like a basic skill, for everybody. Some students want to go to work in construction. It’s youth development. Some students are 16 years old when they start with us; they don’t know what they want to do, yet. But construction is a really great place to start for everyone.”
YouthBuild is designed for young people 16-24 years of age.
