This summer, 10 Atlantic City residents ages 18-24 will have the opportunity to gain official construction certifications and credentials through an education program sponsored by the Michaels Organization.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, together with the Michaels Organization, on Wednesday announced details of the program designed to offer knowledge and training in all aspects of real estate construction, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing.
“Today is the day these Atlantic City youth start a new chapter in their lives, and it is indeed a proud day for them and their families,” Small said. “This program provides a life-changing opportunity to develop both hard and soft skills needed in building a career in the construction trades. And I couldn’t think of a company better equipped to guide these students on their way than the Michaels Organization.”
The youth will also come out of the program with certifications in OSHA-10, fall prevention, forklift safety, CPR, small hand tools and flagging, a company spokesperson said.
“At the end of 12 weeks, they will be put to work as part of this project and others,” Small said.
Community leaders and neighborhood residents at Buzby Homes, the affordable housing community being redeveloped by Michaels in partnership with the Atlantic City Housing Authority, were also in attendance. The Buzby Homes redevelopment site will be the setting for much of the teaching and hands-on experience offered to students in the 12-week program.
“The Atlantic City community is filled with so much untapped talent, and it will be an honor to observe firsthand the journey of these students over the next 12 weeks,” Nick Cangelosi, vice president of development at the Michaels Organization, said. “The Michaels Organization has big plans for them and will connect them with mentors across the construction spectrum who can help them explore which trades they wish to further pursue. We’re so excited to get started.”
This isn’t the first time Michaels has engaged youth on its development projects. Michaels invited members of Camden’s YouthBuild program to participate in redeveloping the Branch Village affordable housing community, as well. There, Camden students and recent graduates came to Branch Village in their free time to observe and learn from the workers.
