OHIO STATE, COMMUNITY GROUPS LAUNCH PROJECT BUILD

   COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University is joining with local agencies to launch Project Build, a six-week construction job training program for residents living in the southeast portion of the University District.

   The program centers on both basic skills in building maintenance and heavy highway and utility construction, as well as "soft skills" -- qualities and information necessary to gain and maintain employment. All training will be provided at no cost to Project Build's 20 participants, residents of the Campus Partners neighborhoods near campus.

   Participants are being recruited by the Godman Guild, a community organization. They must have a high school diploma or a GED, or must pursue a GED. Participants also undergo a basic skills test and other screenings before being accepted for the project. Applicants may call the Godman Guild at (614) 294-6227.

   The program, which runs from April 26 through June 4, is part of the university's comprehensive plan to stimulate economic development and improve the quality of life in campus-area neighborhoods through projects related to housing, education, public service delivery, public safety, employment assistance and revitalization.

   "Through Project Build, we hope to create a pool of qualified employable neighborhood residents who will be able to choose from a variety of options -- seeking local construction jobs, continuing their training or applying for trade apprenticeship programs," said Sandra Pritz, Project Build coordinator and program manager of school-to-work initiatives in the College of Education. "Project Build graduates also will contribute to the community by maintaining their own residences and helping neighbors with home maintenance."

   Project Build is a component of the Ohio State University Community Outreach Partnerships Center (COPC), funded since 1997 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. COPC, a neighborhood improvement and empowerment program, researches community assets and needs, focusing on the Weinland Park neighborhood.

   COPC partners are Weinland Park Community Collaborative, the Godman Guild Association, the Ohio State colleges of Education and Human Ecology, OSU Extension and the Campus Collaborative. Training will be conducted at the Godman Guild Settlement House on East 6th Avenue, and a toolbank housed at the Weinland Park Community Collaborative will be used for training and general neighborhood use.

   In addition to proficiency training in highway and utility construction, skills taught as part of Project Build will range from electrical and plumbing work to landscaping and roofing. Volunteer experts from the neighborhood and industry will teach specific skills and offer opportunities for on-site learning, including at a Habitat for Humanity home-building site.

   Participants also will be guided in discussions related to work-force issues such as teamwork, career development, conflict resolution, transportation and child care. Tina Overtoom, a graduate assistant in the Workforce Education and Lifelong Learning program, will integrate the "soft skills" instruction with the construction training.

   Eventually, Project Build graduates will be able to provide job shadow and internship experiences for youths in the neighborhood, extending the reach of the program to other generations, Pritz said.

   Coordinators expect program participants to link with Northside Development Corp. projects, vocational high school/career center construction programs and, later, with two major Columbus construction projects: the Nationwide Arena and the University Gateway Center proposed by Campus Partners.

   In addition to Project Build and other job training workshops coordinated by Pritz, COPC has developed the Weinland Park Business and Entrepreneurship Center, offers courses and resources on family and housing stability issues, and supports communication among community organizations. COPC is directed by Michael Casto, who also directs Campus Collaborative, a group of university units and community organizations focused on improving human services and student quality of life in the University District.

Contact: Sandra Pritz, College of Education, (614) 688-8148