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North Coast Opportunities’ BUILD program reports high job placement rate and ARPA funding extension
Summary
NCO reported an 89% placement rate for its BUILD construction training program and told the board an ARPA grant originally for $800,000 has been extended to $1,065,000; the county-funded cohort has completed projects around the county.
North Coast Opportunities on Tuesday updated the Lake County Board of Supervisors on the BUILD (Building Up Individuals and Local Development) program, a paid, four‑month construction training and placement initiative that NCO said is producing durable employment outcomes and completing community housing repairs.
Justin Gaddy, NCO’s director of community wellness, told the board the program combines hands-on construction work with case management, coaching, and classroom instruction. Over the past five years the program has enrolled 48 participants; 36 completed on-the-job training and 34 obtained employment after participation, figures NCO described as an 89% success rate for graduates who find jobs.
Program manager Derek Fiedler and crew coach Mike Willis described individual projects — home repairs, accessibility work and transitional-housing renovations — and read homeowner testimonials describing the repairs’ impact. The program typically receives 60–65 applications for each cohort and narrows those applicants to six paid trainees per cohort; training includes site tours, tools and clothing, certifications (OSHA 10, first aid/CPR, forklift and scissor-lift) and partner instruction at Mendocino College’s Lake Center construction lab.
Funding for the Lake County build effort has come from an American Rescue Plan Act allocation: NCO said its ARPA Lake County grant was originally $800,000 and an extension approved late last year increased available funding by $265,000 to $1,065,000. NCO reported it has spent about $790,000 and expects to use the extension for the spring cohort and program continuation; program staff said they are pursuing additional grants to sustain and expand specialty tracks (for example, HVAC and solar) and to create follow-on “2.0” training opportunities.
Supervisor Pyska, the board member sponsoring the item, said she will circulate graduation details so supervisors can attend; supervisors praised the program’s combination of life coaching and trade skills. NCO said applications for the fall cohort will open June 15 and close August 15 with six paid slots available.
