Training for Disabled Workers Continued in Columbia, S.C.

As a result of the success of Project HOPE in training disabled workers in Columbia, S.C., Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia have received a five-year Projects With Industry (PWI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue the implementation of the program.

Project HOPE (Homebuilding Opportunities for Positive Employment) was established to provide disabled workers with training in the construction trades and job placement services. The program opened in South Carolina in 2005 with funding from a three-year PWI grant.

Participation of the local home builders association has been a key component in the program’s success, and the Greater Columbia builders will expand their role over the next phase of the project.

The HBA serves as Project HOPE’s door to the home building industry, offering trainees access to its members, job leads and work-based learning opportunities.

“Project HOPE has made a powerful impact on the disability community and our industry,” said HBA of Greater Columbia Executive Officer Earl McLeod. “We are proud to partner with HBI on this initiative and look forward to continuing these positive outcomes in the future.”

The new $1.8 million grant will provide Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) and job placement assistance for 75 students annually at a new training facility in downtown Columbia. HBI will focus on bringing veterans, youths and those in community corrections into the program.

Project HOPE is also in the process of establishing a Business Advisory Council, which will be composed of HBA members — including builder trades subcontractors and members of affiliated industries — and representatives from workforce development and rehabilitation services systems.

Additional grant partners include the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Watkins Pre-Release Center, the Richland One School District and the Lower Midlands Workforce Center/One Stop.

Since its inception, Project HOPE has helped establish more than 600 disabled workers in industry-related jobs and careers.

HBI has previously operated Project HOPE programs in Columbus, Ohio and Denver.

For more information on Project HOPE, e-mail Dennis Torbett at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908.