Indianapolis Star
By Dana Knight
dana.knight@indystar.com
January 13, 2008

Through Indiana Plan's one-of-a-kind certification program, disadvantaged Hoosiers get on track to good jobs in construction

Keith Miller wasn't sure he would ever land a legitimate job -- let alone one working on the world- class, glitzy Lucas Oil Stadium.

"I had a felony and nobody wanted to hire me," said the 44-year-old Indianapolis resident.

But Miller enrolled in the Indiana Plan, a program aimed at getting more minorities, women and disadvantaged workers into the construction industry. Today he works on the stadium while also working toward an electrical apprenticeship.

The Indiana Plan is the only pre-apprenticeship program in the nation certified by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. It includes 120 hours of classroom training, learning everything from reading blueprints to construction math to spatial reasoning. It also offers 100 hours of on-the-job training. And it finds ways to solve the little problems that may hinder the job search for disadvantaged workers.

"I didn't have transportation, and they gave me bus passes," said Miller. "That means a lot. They helped me tremendously."

The program, which graduated its 2007 class Wednesday, is funded in part through the Major Opportunities Program of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. This program was implemented by Gov. Mitch Daniels to encourage women, minorities and disadvantaged workers to become part of the construction trade.

"The governor asks about this every day," said Martin E. Morrow, chief operating officer with IWD. "It is a big deal for us. The momentum starts to gain, and you can't stop it."

Last week, the Indiana Plan graduated nearly 100 people. While the ceremony simply recognized that graduates had the training necessary to apply for apprenticeships, it was a major stepping stone for most.

Forty-four percent of the 2007 class members are ex-offenders. About 10 percent are high school dropouts. More than 15 percent do not have valid driver's licenses. So while they have the training, many have other obstacles.

"My charge to you is to stay the course," said Herman W. Oliver, director of the Indiana Plan's construction training program. "What you've done here is the first step. Now apply for those apprenticeships and reapply. You may not get in the first, second or even the third time, but you will get in."

Local union representatives attended the ceremony, as well as contractors and builders handing out business cards.

"This is a great opportunity to get folks of all races and genders into the construction trade," said Mike Kerr, principal owner with Wilhelm Construction.

The state has more than 4,000 union construction contractors.

"Indiana is one of the hottest areas for construction in the country, and this is helping build that diverse work force," Kerr said. "It's not only the right thing to do, but it makes a lot of sense."

Graduates were encouraged by the prospective journeyman wages, which range from $20 to $30 an hour. Even the training wages can reach $18 an hour.

"I am tired of the government (and I work for the government) telling us we don't have enough skilled-type workers," said John Delgado, Indiana director of the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

He urged graduates to set their own course.

"It is your own fault if you don't make it," he said. "This is not just a job. With this you can provide for your family."

Graduate Kenny Webster, 21, was working at KFC and not making enough to support his family. He showed up at last week's graduation with his 18-month-old son Gionnie. Now he has applied for an electrical apprenticeship. In the meantime, he works at the stadium.

"Now I feel like I'm on my way," Webster said.

What: The only pre-apprenticeship program in the nation certified by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

Curriculum: Includes 120 hours in the classroom and 100 hours of on-the-job training. Classroom training includes subjects such as construction math, spatial relations, blueprint reading, job- site readiness and steps to apprenticeship applications.

Funding: It is funded in part by the Major Opportunities Program of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, which is geared toward preparing minorities, women and disadvantaged workers for careers in the construction industry.

In 2007, the program had:

• 657 applicants.

• 204 enrollees.

• 92 graduates.

• 84 job placements.

• 12 apprentices.

Among the participants in 2007:

• 145 had high school or general equivalency diplomas.

• 16 were dropouts.

• 135 had valid driver's licenses.

• 72 were ex-offenders.

• 18 were military veterans.

Source: The Indiana Plan