Richmond BUILD brings hope, pride

By Globe Staff

In some Richmond neighborhoods, young people hang out on street corners with little hope or prospects for careers.
  However, a new program called Richmond BUILD is replacing despair with hope and pride.

    This year, the employment training initiative received a $600,000 two-year state grant, and last week classes were underway. Instruction will run for nine weeks, said instructors.
   The project was awarded the grant from the Governor’s 15% Workforce Investment Act to establish a “pre-apprenticeship” construction skills training program. According to Fred Lucero of the city’s Department of Employment, 27 people are enrolled in the program now.
   “We want to prepare them for construction trades but we also teach soft skills... money managing, interviewing for a job, how to dress for the interview.” he said.
    Richmond BUILD will train 150 Richmond residents in a comprehensive pre-apprenticeship construction skills course that will include math, blue print reading, carpentry, cement work, basic electrical, and basic plumbing. A vigorous job-placement-component will be included as well.