Program helps minorities get training

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The program offers assistance with getting into trade unions.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — A new local program aims to put low-income minority men and other disadvantaged community members to work in skilled trades.

The Youngstown Area Development Corporation's Youth Intervention Program focuses on preparing black and Hispanic men from the Youngstown area, between 18 and 25 years old, to take the entrance exams to get into various trade unions.

William Carter, YADC executive director, said the program is open to any qualifying person with a desire to entire a trade program.

"We have a focus and an objective. Our focus is black and Hispanic males, but our objective is anyone who meets the requirements of Jobs and Family Services. If you are eligible, we will help you get into the trade unions if that is what you want," he said.

Carter said more than 40 people signed up for the program. It will offer participants skill building, test preparedness classes, tutoring, referral placement and follow-up.

Hurdles

The program, Carter said, will be helpful to some participants in performing basic skills such as acquiring or reinstating a driver's license after it has been taken for something like failure to pay child support. He said many young men run into a problem finding work or getting into various programs because of failure to have a driver's license.

Carter said some participants are looking to enter the electrical trade union, which requires high school algebra and some geometry, at a minimum. He said interested participants must have taken those courses, but the program will offer tutors to hone those skills.

Program participants will also be afforded the opportunity to attend a boot camp where attitude adjustments toward work ethic will be the focus. There will also be workshops to brush up on reading and writing skills.

Need exists

Carter said the need for such a program is evident in the high unemployment rate among minority men and the number of single-parent households in minority communities.

Carter said opportunities exist for these individuals to earn a living in the trades.

As an example, he noted a seminar held by YADC earlier this month. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation stated that ODOT would be looking at projects with $23 billion in available earnings over the next seven years. Such opportunities, he said, must be taken seriously.

"If we don't take advantage of this, whose fault is that?" he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

Saturday, December 16, 2006