Three local agencies developed the final plans Sept. 26 to launch the Green Girls Apprenticeship Program (GGAP), according to a news release.
TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service) Inc., the Carpenter’s Daughter Apprenticeship Programs (CDAP), and Washington Enterprises LLC (Codney Washington, general contractor) announced plans for the youth pre-apprenticeship program in Pine Bluff.
“GGAP is a strategic pre-apprentice program designed to train and develop young women’s skills in the construction trades. GGAP also helps them transition into other national apprenticeship programs while closing the construction trade skill gaps within their communities,” according to the release.
Program dates:
Monday, Oct. 8 — The GGAP launch begins at 6:30 p.m. at TOPPS Big Rec, 1000 Townsend Drive. The event will include an Introduction to the Carpentry Trade module from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum.
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Saturdays, Oct. 13 and Oct. 20 — From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the launch will continue with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 certification course for young women. The curriculum will provide credentials which are portable across a wide range of construction occupations and entry into entrepreneurships. Along with teaching the young women carpentry and other trades, GGAP will be implementing training in green building practices to assist in building a healthy community, according to the news release.
January 2019 — GGAP will officially start.
Partnership, purpose:
The partnership between the three agencies brings resources that share different responsibilities to create several opportunities for youth in the community around the construction trade industry.
“The partnership was developed around an interest to help develop and train youth and young adults in the construction industry,” according to the release. “Only nine percent of the construction trades are occupied by women and in low-income communities that percentage diminishes significantly.”
Annette Dove, executive director of TOPPS, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), a TOPPS sponsor, are noted nationally for their community work to train young people through skill development. For details on youth enrollment or donations, contact Dove at 870-850-6011, toppsincdove@aol.com or visit www.toppsinc.org.
Verna Perry is founder and chief executive officer of the Carpenter’s Daughter Apprenticeship Programs, a non-profit and tenant at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Economic Research and Development Program. Perry’s program began in May this year and she is looking for partnerships to make apprenticeship training a roadway for young adults to enter the trades (especially those in low-income communities whose families may not be able to afford a two or four-year college education) according to the release. For information on developing a pre-apprentice program, becoming an instructor or mentor for apprenticeship trades contact Perry with CDAP at 870-265-0186 or www.daughterofcarpenter.com.
Codney Washington of Washington Enterprises LLC is seeking ways to give back to his community by providing safe workspace training for youth to learn the hands-on activities involved in becoming skilled tradesmen/women, according to the release. For information on becoming a partnering building contractor, contact Washington with Washington Enterprises LLC at 501-347-5641 or washenterprise@aol.com.