Training program finds jobs for at-risk youth
Edward Stevens, left, and Salaaman Keitt prepare a demonstration on a test for air-tightness on a door, something they learned in career training through Youthbuild. Their demonstration was at the United Way's E3 Career Training Center in Deer Park. (Jan. 4, 2010) Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
Finding a job in this economy is difficult for anyone, but imagine how tough it is for a high school dropout who has done jail time!
Tyrone Robinson, 25, of Brentwood, found himself in just that situation a year ago. Then in September he learned about YouthBuild Long Island, a United Way community development and green-job training program for at-risk youth.
Robinson will graduate from the program in June, and like other graduates, he is highly likely to find a job in the Island's growing green industry.
Tuesday, the 31 young people currently enrolled in YouthBuild Long Island got together with green companies, so the companies could see firsthand what they are doing.
Rudy Holesek, president of Bay Shore-based Apollo Group, a heating, ventilation and air-conditioner installer, has already donated about $15,000 in equipment to the program for the students to work on. Holesek said he plans to hire at least one graduate in June.
"I started with nothing," Holesek said. "I've been very fortunate."
Michael Murtha, president of Murtha Construction in West Islip, which does weatherization projects, said there is a growing need for green workers. His company has one YouthBuild student in a training program. "The fact that they're taking this workforce and training them is fantastic," Murtha said.
The event was hosted by Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington). "YouthBuild can change an economy and change a life," Israel said.
Robinson agreed with what he heard. "Green is very important," he said. "It's the future."
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