Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Boone County Signs On for Youth Construction Training Program
July 14, 2009
Job Point Interns to Work on County Public Works Projects
The Boone County Commission today signed a one-year internship agreement with Job Point to participate in the Highway/Heavy Construction Trades Program. The agreement allows 1 to 5 highway/heavy construction trainees to work on projects with the Public Works Department. The trainees will have work opportunities that are consistent with those undertaken by entry level employees of Public Works.
The Highway/Heavy Construction Trades Program is a subset of Job Point's Columbia Builds Youth program. The CBY program started in March 2003 and gives at-risk young people age 16 to 24 an opportunity to help revitalize their communities while earning a GED, learning construction skills, developing leadership skills and building single-family homes. The City of Columbia has participated in the program since February 2009.
"The internship program is a great opportunity for the County to join with Job Point in helping at-risk youth to acquire education in heavy construction and improve their chances of getting higher paying jobs," says Presiding Commissioner Ken Pearson.
Prior to their Public Works internship, trainees must complete at least 6 months of formal instruction and on the job training in carpentry and residential construction. During the internship, the trainees will receive classroom instruction through Job Point based on curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. There is no cost for Boone County to participate in the program. The interns are employees of Job Point and are paid wages, including Worker's Compensation and FICA, through CBY.
"Opportunities that benefit the community, the County and the construction industry don't come around everyday," says Maintenance Operations Manager Chip Estabrooks. "Not only can the students learn from the County, but I'm sure they will bring some fresh new ideas and techniques to the County."
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