Et cetera : Hawkeye Community College Receives $1.5 M YouthBuild Grant

Hawkeye Community College is pleased to announce the receipt of a $1.5 million YouthBuild grant from the Department of Labor to provide training and employment services to youth 16-24 years of age.

This YouthBuild grant aims to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities, prepare young workers for quality jobs, and strengthen the nation's workforce to meet industry demands.

Hawkeye will use the YouthBuild grant to expand its WE Build program, a pre-apprenticeship construction initiative designed to remove employment barriers for individuals. Participants in the WE Build program receive education in the construction industry and gain hands-on experience rehabilitating affordable housing in the community. Individuals receive training in construction career counseling, resume writing, and interviewing skills, team building, and personal development.

A new WE Build track will be introduced for 16-24 year olds without a high school diploma, providing additional support services including an adult basic education instructor to focus on the high school equivalency. Additionally, the program will expand to offer pre-apprenticeship career pathways in robotics and automation.

"This grant will greatly enhance our capacity to support young people in our community," said Dr. Todd Holcomb, President of Hawkeye Community College. "By expanding the WE Build program, we will equip our youth with high-demand skills and help them earn their high school equivalency, paving the way for better employment opportunities and a stronger workforce for our local employers."

The Department of Labor awarded $98 million in YouthBuild grants to 72 organizations in 30 states and Guam, with grants ranging from $700,000 to $1.5 million each.

For more information about the WE Build program and how to get involved, contact Val Peterson at 319-296-4296, ext. 3110 or valerie.peterson@hawkeyecollege.edu.