WIA construction program builds skills, confidence, character
There are few things more rewarding than knowing that our work makes a difference in the lives of others. That sense of accomplishment empowers us to take on bigger challenges with more confidence and determination.
Just ask Walter Blackman.
“Years from now I can drive by this house and show my kids and grand kids, ‘I built that.’ Words can’t express how that makes me feel.”
Thanks to Walter and six other young men who recently graduated from the Des Moines County Construction Program, administered by the Southeast Iowa office of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), one lucky buyer will soon call 1102 South Fourth St. in Burlington home.
The program is designed to give disadvantaged young people an opportunity to earn their GED and gain marketable skills in the construction industry through completing construction projects for non-profit agencies and municipalities. Funds are leveraged by partnering with other agencies including the City of Burlington and its Neighborhood Stabilization Project (NSP).
Burlington City Planner Amber VerKiulen explains that NSP is a federal program that focuses on renovating or re-building houses in targeted neighborhoods.
“This is a unique partnership. Our federal and state representatives were very excited that we could partner with WIA,” VerKiulen notes.
One key person in the program is Building Trades Instructor Clint Kobelt. A seasoned home builder of 20 years, Clint knows what it takes to build a quality house. A hip replacement four years ago caused him to refocus his career. That’s when he learned about the program.
Clint is amazed by how simple encouragement, empowerment and teamwork can transform lives.
“I decided to take this job as a chance to get new people into the trade and make a difference in their lives. It turned into one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.”
He explains that many of the participants may have had few positive role models or the support from family and friends that most of us take for granted. For some, this program is the first time they are given a serious opportunity to assess their life situation and make decisions about their future.
Before participants are allowed on the job site, they must first complete a course component called Mental Toughness. The eight weeks of class work in math, reading, and safety is structured so that only those serious about completing the program earn the opportunity to move on to the next phase.
“On the very first day, I tell them that we only expect three things out of them: show up, stay awake, and participate. You’d be surprised how some participants can’t even handle that,” Clint admits.
The program is strictly performance-based. “If you don’t produce, you don’t stay. It’s that simple. We’re doing a disservice to them if we treat them any different than the real world.”
The program started with 16 participants. Twelve made it through Mental Toughness. Seven graduated.
“You might say having 7 pass out of 16 isn’t a good success rate, but what it really tells us is that we’ve got the 7 guys who want to be here. These are the guys who are committed to the program, to themselves, and to the project. They’re the ones we want to invest our time and energy in,” Clint explains.
IowaWORKS Regional Director Deb Dowell says that with some participants testing at lower than a 9th grade reading or math level, coordinators had to be creative in delivering instruction. Sometimes the instructors let the problem become the teacher. “Participants play a part in every aspect of the project. They are responsible for designing the floor plan, taking measurements and estimating costs. Those are great learning opportunities – often better than anything we can do with paper and pencil in the classroom.”
The project material budget was tight with little room for mistakes. That none of the participants have any experience building a house raised the stakes considerably.
Clint says the first big test for this group came early. “When we poured the foundation, the team had one chance to get it right. If anything went wrong, if the forms broke, if the measurements were off – anything that required rework – it could jeopardize the entire project.”
The foundation turned out perfectly.
Over the course of the project, team members developed a strong sense of ownership.
The team started on the job site on July 1. There were only two days when the heat index was below 100 degrees that month. The weather was grueling; however, the team showed up ready to work every day.
“If you know this is where a family is going to raise their kids and you’re responsible for the quality of this home, that’s a heck of a responsibility. And everybody without question has risen to the occasion,” Clint says.
Like every person in the program, Walter is grateful for the opportunity.
“Coming into this program I had no experience whatsoever. The only thing I could do was swing a hammer – and I probably would have missed the nail.”
He hopes to one day become a foreman or own his own construction business, and he has the skills foundation to get there. Graduates of the program earn a Carpentry Pre-Apprentice Certificate, a Weatherization Certificate, Concrete Finishing Certificate, and are trained in lead abatement.
Since completing the program, each has either found a job or enrolled in college.
Clint believes in the program, but more importantly, he believes in the participants. He stresses that it is the choices people make that make them successful in life. “The fact that they built the house didn’t make them better men. The fact that they chose to be better men resulted in the house being built.”
The team’s respect and admiration for Clint is immediately evident.
“I want to be a boss like Clint. He can tell me where the problem is, how to recognize it, how to fix it. And if I can’t fix it, he can fix it for me,” Walter adds.
Deb points out that the program is a win for everyone involved: participants learn skills that they can use to get a good-paying job, the city gets to invest in the community to improve neighborhoods, and a family can get a new house that might otherwise not have been able to afford one.
WIA plans to secure another round of grants and hire another program recruiter and instructor. The City of Burlington has already agreed to supply projects as have area Habitat for Humanity chapters.
Check out this video to see the house and learn about the program, the students, and the instructors.
Click to view a photo gallery of the project.