The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College has received a $1.1 million federal grant to help high school dropouts ages 16 to 24 get educations and job skills needed to enter the work force.

"The whole thing is designed to help them plan for the rest of their lives," Karen Thurber, the college's development director, said of the U.S. Labor Department grant. On Tuesday, the agency awarded almost $31 million in YouthBuild awards to 31 programs in 20 states.

"YouthBuild helps young people who might otherwise slip through the cracks," Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said in a news release. "At the same time, these youngsters make valuable contributions to their neighborhoods through community service projects and the construction or renovation of affordable housing."

Thurber said the college will begin recruiting young people for the program and that she expects the first cohort of 36 to begin training in August, with a second group of 36 next year. Recruits will come largely from referrals made by 15 local community- and faith-based organizations, and the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

The program will have two components, Thurber said.

Participants will be enrolled in education programs, with an emphasis on improving reading and math abilities, so they can obtain GED (General Educational Development) or high-school equivalency degrees.

Concurrently, they will take construction technology classes the college has taught for 40 years, learning skills such as carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrical drafting and working with heating and air conditioning systems.

"They can literally take those skills to work with them," Thurber said. "If they love construction, they can stay in that and we'll get them into an additional, pre-apprenticeship program. If they want to do something else, we can help them get into another field, or go to Weber State, or go into the military."

Besides education and training, program participants get a monthly stipend of $425 and are eligible for $600 bonuses for various accomplishments, from getting a job or a diploma to completing a construction class.

"They have to earn everything they do," she said. "Nothing is handed to them."

The construction skills emphasized will be put to use rehabilitating housing for low-income people associated with either Your Community Connection of Northern Utah, which runs a women's shelter, or the Homeless Veterans Fellowship. Both are based in Ogden.

Thurber said the college enlisted several partners to advance its grant proposal.

The Department of Workforce Services will supply tuition, books, work clothing and equipment for each student. Ogden School District teachers will provide classroom instruction. Cornerstone Financial will help participants learn how to use their money wisely.

In addition, American Express has given $10,000 to pay for building materials. Technical assistance will be provided by employees of Home Depot and Wadman Corp.

mikeg@sltrib.com —

YouthBuild

Originated in Harlem, N.Y., in 1978.

Replicated in 14 cities before becoming a federal program in 1992.

First YouthBuild grants awarded in 1994 by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Program moved to the Labor Department in 2006.

There are about 275 programs nationwide.