The BYI Workforce Development Initiative provides young African American men in Detroit with career opportunities in the skilled trades, including drywall, painting, electrical, and landscaping. We do this by connecting them with skilled trades professionals and business owners who provide hands-on job training and mentoring.
Key Components of the BYI Workforce Development Initiative
I. Skilled Trades Training/Mentoring
The BYI Workforce Development Initiative provides exposure to the skilled trades industry as a higher education alternative for African American boys and men, ages 17 -24. Our trainees either do not have interest in or resources to attend a college or university. We connect them with skilled trades professionals who provide hands-on job training and real time/life mentoring.
The Workforce Development skilled-trades training disciplines include: residential/commercial painting, basic electrical repair and installation, wall framing and drywall installation and repair, basic installation and plumbing repairs, and residential/commercial window treatment installation.
During the six-week training, we supply trainees with training manuals and materials, a weekly stipend, and healthy lunches. Upon completion of training, trainees hired to Trash Out houses through our contract with the City of Detroit are supplied with adequate work attire (coveralls, boots, gloves, etc) and tools.
2. Employment/Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Our Initiative has a series of unique collaborations with Detroit area Black-owned businesses in the skilled trades. These partnerships support the premise that small business owners are vital to the economic mobility and viability of communities by providing employment opportunities to our training graduates.
Additionally, BYI Workforce Development Initiative Trainees participate in the City’s housing rehabilitation program and have trashed out over 100 vacant properties being prepared for rehab or sale.
3. Homeownership Opportunity
BYI Workforce Development Initiative Trainees will have a unique opportunity to not only learn skills that will assist them in earning a living wage, but also provide a path to home ownership. As part of our house rehabilitation program and our partnership with Comerica Bank, trainees will receive financial literacy training as well as have opportunities to purchase homes that they have participated in rehabbing.
Along with instruction by skilled-trades professionals in the six-week training period, trainees receive manuals and other materials, a weekly stipend, and healthy lunches.
