National Skills Summit

National Skills Summit
Innovative Initiatives: Construction and Transportation

Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation, Benedict College And Make It New Company, Inc.(MINCO): Work Force Development Residential Construction Program

The Challenge:

To develop new pools of skilled labor and provide a continuous stream of specialized workers for Columbia, South Carolina's local home building industry.

The Solution:

Train people in construction by having them work to improve housing in their own community.

The Partners:

Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a non-profit community development organization located in Columbia.

Make It New Company, Inc. (MINCO) is a Columbia construction company specializing in residential and commercial renovations.

Benedict College, a historically Black college in Columbia, purchases many of the houses renovated by Make It New Co.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided funding for Benedict-Allen CDC's program through a two-year Urban and Rural Community Development Grant.

The Story:

Home construction is booming in the Southeast. The need for skilled workers is so critical that many builders are offering incentives to attract new workers into the construction industry. The Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation views the shortage as an opportunity to introduce women to the construction trade and remove them from welfare rolls. To capitalize on this potential, the CDC partnered with Benedict College and Make It New Company, Inc. to conduct a housing development program rehabilitating substandard single family homes for resale to eligible families. After a three-week job readiness training program, participants begin working at MINCO earning hourly wages working alongside experienced craftsman.

Benedict College also partners with CDC during the program's first three weeks of classroom and job readiness instruction. Budgeting, personal finance, substance abuse prevention, and construction-related topics are among the courses taught by Benedict College instructors and MINCO staff. Improving self-sufficiency is the focus of instruction.

During their 16 weeks of apprenticeship, participants generally specialize in an area of interest and can choose from carpentry, plumbing, masonry, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, painting, and furniture restoration. Trainees' wages are paid by Benedict-Allen CDC and the employer. Trained workers are hired into a permanent unsubsidized position in the industry with a starting wage of $7 - $7.50 per hour. Placement has been facilitated through media exposure and an unofficial partnership with a local branch of the Home Builders Association.

In 1999, nine members of CDC's first graduating class obtained permanent jobs at MINCO. Twelve more recently graduated in May, 2000, seven of whom are currently employed by MINCO and four of whom will soon have jobs with other companies that are working with the College.

Now that the program has been established and refined, CDC plans to increase enrollment to at least 25 trainees per year. Participants are referred by a number of community-based organizations including neighborhood associations, social service agencies, and the City of Columbia's Housing Authority.

A Model of Innovation:

Benedict-Allen CDC's program has a larger impact on community development than most. It builds infrastructure through community revitalization efforts, which has the added benefit of drawing public attention to the program and increasing visibility throughout the community.

Contacts:

Larry K. Salley
Benedict-Allen CDC
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
803-253-5121 (p)
803-255-1728 (f)

Dr. Sheila Ards
Vice President for Community Development
Benedict College
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
803-253-5077 (p)
803-253-5301 (f)

Mark Lambright
Make It New Company
3620 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29204
803-790-6567 (p)