For Immediate Release: November 18, 2009
Contact: Paul Mounds/ 860-278-8888
Larson: Co-Opportunity of Hartford To Receive Recovery Act Funding To Support Workforce Training Program
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in announcing that Co-Opportunity, Inc of Hartford will receive $69,933 in Recovery Act funding to create new green-industry jobs through the YouthBuild Hartford program.
The YouthBuild program provides young adults, aged 16-24, from low income backgrounds the ability to work toward their high school diploma or GED while learning critical on the job construction skills. This grant will allow Youthbuild Hartford to train students to preserve reusable materials during the deconstruction of a site.
“The Recovery Act has promoted economic stabilization for our state and our nation through job creation and training opportunities particularly in new green industries. This funding will support that mission by providing young adults in the Youthbuild program an opportunity to acquire the skills they need to join the workforce of the future,” said Congressman Larson. “Youthbuild Hartford with Co-Opportunity’s leadership, is truly a successful job training and leadership development program serving the Greater Hartford community.”
The grant funding, provided through the Recovery Act’s Green Capacity Building Grant Program, will train 20 Youthbuild Hartford students as well as certify Youthbuild Hartford instructors to be licensed deconstruction trainers. These efforts will lead program participants to future job placements.
In the last 8 years, 350 people have graduated from Co-opportunity’s YouthBuild Hartford program with 60% of trainees receiving their GED, and 87% of graduates securing jobs or pursuing higher education within 3 months of graduation.
Along with Co-Opportunity, key partners in the Youthbuild program include the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Workforce Competiveness.
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