By Greg Furminger, The Tribune
A Welland-based non-profit that empowers youth by giving them a big leap forward in the world of skilled construction trades has received a half-million-dollar boost from the federal government to continue doing so.
Niagara Peninsula Homes Inc. is receiving an investment for its project to help 24 Niagara youths gain experience necessary to make a successful transition to the job market or return to school.
The announcement was made Friday at NPH’s Victoria St. office building by Diane Finley, minister of public works and government services, on behalf of Pierre Poilievre, minister of employment and social development.
“Many young people are struggling to get their foot in the door,” Finley said in relaying the news to NPH staff.
NPH is a non-profit organization governed by a community-based board of directors and is a member of Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association and the Institute of Housing Management. It empowers people through a process of training, planning and evaluation.
On the funding awarded Friday, board president Bob McCallion said, “We take that as a sacred trust … that the people who need those skills will get them.”
He later said programming offered by NPH gives participants “a little taste of construction” while also developing soft skills, such as customer relations, work ethics, conflict resolution.
“A lot of it is about lifting people up and giving them confidence,” he said.
“You can make a really good living as a tradesperson.”
Among those to know just that is David Houser, now 24, and who three years ago was introduced to Niagara Peninsula Homes. He’s been afforded various opportunities in construction, including landscaping, and is now actively employed with NPH’s Team E.N.E.R.G.I. apprenticeship program, which also offers energy conservation and green technologies training.
“I’m building my future,” he said.
“Without this place, I don’t know where I’d be.” Program co-ordinator David Young said students start off with 24 weeks of on-the-job training, while being paid minimum wage. They are ready-to-hire upon completion.
“It’s an environment where you can make mistakes … and use that as a learning platform.”
All training is tailored to the individual program participant, he said.
For more information, see www.nphcr.ca.
Said Finley: “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce, so by investing in them, we are helping contribute to Canada’s long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity. We are proud to work with organizations like Niagara Peninsula Homes so young people, including those in the Niagara region, can develop the skills they need to succeed in the job market.”
greg.furminger@sunmedia.ca