-Press Release, Triangle Literacy Council

Today the Triangle Literacy Council (TLC) announced the second phase of their Regional Construction and Skills Trades Career Pathway for young adults, ages 16 to 24, in Henderson, NC. The 24-week-long program, called Henderson YouthBuild, offers three integrated components to area young adults: high school equivalency preparation, occupational training, and construction work-based learning.

Henderson YouthBuild aims to build a productive future for young men and women who have dropped out of school or have other barriers to employment. The program will blend academic and occupational course content along with leadership and life skills training, as well as follow-up support to young adults in Henderson. Participants are able to earn up to $50 a week for program attendance and $10 per hour wages for the work-based learning portion of training. Upon completion of the program, participants will have earned a nationally-recognized construction certificate, along with OSHA Certification and work experience, and be given the opportunity to find gainful employment, significantly improving their futures.

TLC currently operates the Bull City YouthBuild program in Durham, NC, providing job training and educational opportunities for at-risk young adults in the inner-city. TLC is excited to provide this same service model for the Vance County region which will inject positive and productive energy into the lives of young adults.

“We are so excited to bring the nationally recognized YouthBuild brand to Henderson, North Carolina. The YouthBuild model opens up new funding opportunities for our Henderson programming and will allow us to take the next step in providing job training skills and employment opportunities for Henderson young adults,” said Laura Walters, President and CEO of the Triangle Literacy Council. “As we establish our program in Vance County, we will be creating new partnerships with existing programs which will better enhance the community.”

Henderson Youthbuild is funded in part by the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board and other funding opportunities on a national, regional and local level are being sought. The program is currently enrolling students in its second cohort. Interested participants should contact Roberta Freeman, Henderson YouthBuild Program Manager by phone at 252-204-2967 or via email at rfreeman@triangleliteracy.org, immediately for more information.

WIZS Note:

Freeman, who was on WIZS’ Town Talk program Wednesday, explained that the Triangle Literacy Council has been a part of a juvenile literacy program that has been in Vance County schools for two years now. “After careful consideration, and looking at the success of our YouthBuild program in the Durham area, the decision was made to bring the YouthBuild program to Vance County as well.”

While attending a four-year college or university is still a viable path to a successful career for many, Freeman said YouthBuild will allow local young people the chance to obtain their GED and “pick up a trade skill so they can further themselves in life.”

To hear today’s Town Talk interview with Freeman in its entirety, click here.