Search Results for construction

KRA Opens Second Construction Academy in Maryland

October 16, 2020 | No Comments

KRA is a licensed provider of the Home Builders Institute (HBI) award-winning PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training) Program, based on its proprietary National Construction Skill Standards, as well as National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Standards. On September 4, 2018, KRA opened its first Construction Academy, in Anne Arundel County, implementing PACT curriculum, which provides core skills for graduates to compete for entry-level and/or semi-skilled job opportunities across multiple specializations in the construction industry. For the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS), KRA operates the Work Participation, Placement, and Support Services Program, assisting TANF-TCA jobseekers to increase sustainable-employment
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KRA YouthWorks! Construction Academy Goes Online During Pandemic

June 12, 2020 | No Comments

On September 4, 2018, in partnership with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the YouthWorks! program—operated by KRA for the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation—celebrated the opening of its Construction Academy with an enrollment of 13 students, nine of which graduated on January 11, 2019. HBI is the creator of the award-winning, results-driven PACT [Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training] Program that combines academic learning and vocational hands-on instruction. From January 2019 and March 2020, thirty-eight more students enrolled, with 21 earning PACT certification, 19 gaining training-related employment, 9 placed in paid work-experience programs, and 10, unfortunately, in limbo status due to Maryland-enforced COVID-19
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KRA YouthWorks! Celebrates First Construction Academy Graduation

February 11, 2019 | No Comments

According to equipmentworld.com, “During and after the Great Recession—between 2007 and 2011—2 million workers left the construction industry, either retiring or finding more stable work in another industry” and a recent Associated General Contractors of America survey found that 63 percent of U.S. construction firms faced a shortage of skilled workers in the last year, with 30 percent forced to turn down work because of it. One of the largest industry trade associations, the Home Builders Institute (HBI), is responding aggressively to this critical shortage with its award-winning PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training) program, customizing academic-skills learning with hands-on vocational-skills training to address the unique
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Veterans Get Added Boost from DOL, Construction Industry

February 12, 2014 | No Comments

KRA Corporation has long maintained that veterans are one of the most important groups contributing to the U.S. workforce. With knowledge, skills, and abilities developed both before and during their service to our country, most possess the necessary assets to succeed in the workplace. It is why a recent KRA Corporation post highlighting the reported number of unemployed, homeless, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients among our veterans was so alarming. It is also why the recent announcements regarding veteran employment and reintegration services from the construction industry and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program respectively draws the highest praise from our organization. At
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Congratulations to George Wright, the new CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership!

August 4, 2023 | No Comments

In June, The Partnership, which oversees the largest public workforce development system in the country, issued a press release announcing Mr. Wright’s appointment as chief executive officer. Since 2016, KRA has valued its relationship with The Partnership, beginning with our operation of the Garfield One-Stop Career Center, and expanding over time to include the Westside AJC and the Chatham Workforce and Education Center on the South Side. Through career services for jobseekers and business services for the region’s employers, KRA supports The Partnership in the operation of many diverse programs, including many in the construction sector. For example, KRA plays
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KRA Celebrates National Second Chance Month

April 19, 2023 | No Comments

On March 31, 2023, President Biden proclaimed April 2023 as National Second Chance Month and called for the observance of the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. As a national leader in workforce development, KRA has been an advocate for the success of our returning citizens for decades, collaborating with local workforce agencies to deliver effective and compassionate services. Many KRA jobseeker-customers face multiple barriers to sustainable employment. Therefore, KRA’s workforce programs strives to ameliorate a plethora of obstacles, e.g. educational and job-skills deficiencies, lack of adequate employment history, homelessness, et al—in addition to former incarceration. Recently, our KRA
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KRA Monthly Spotlight!

December 30, 2022 | No Comments

KRA Chicago WAJC Customer Lands Six-Figure Dream Job Despite the recurring instability of his chosen occupation, a Tool & Die Maker in the Manufacturing Industry, Michael S. (Michael) maintained a 22-year career—until early 2020. “I don’t recall ever being unemployed; it was the first time when the Pandemic hit.” When he applied for unemployment benefits, Michael, 39, learned about the WIOA Program at the KRA Westside American Job Center, operated for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. When he enrolled, Mike Wolske (Mike) was assigned as his Career Coach. During one session, they discussed a possible career change—such as IT Network
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KRA Monthly Spotlight!

October 31, 2022 | No Comments

KRA Supports History Making CTA Modernization Project According to a 2020 Cumming Group report, “The Chicago [construction industry] is forecasted to see…growth after a lackluster performance during the 2010s…primarily due to the infrastructure sector, as the city looks to extend and modernize its rail and highway network. As Chicago has long been a hub for the logistics industry, the market is relatively well-positioned to benefit from this shift.” In support of this “shift”, the KRA Chicago-Westside American Job Center (WAJC) operated for The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, hosted an Information Event for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization
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KRA Monthly Spotlight!

July 31, 2022 | No Comments

White House Announces $40 Billion ARPA Investment in Our Workforce Earlier this month, the White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and the Workforce announced $40 Billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand and strengthen our workforce, providing underserved Americans, and those with severe barriers to employment, with career pathways for securing good-paying jobs. Decades of operating One-Stop Career/American Job Centers and TANF Employment Programs has equipped KRA with the experience and expertise required to support programs related to the three major areas of ARPA investment addressed during the Summit: Building a Diverse and Skilled Infrastructure
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New KRA Partnership Supports Ex-offenders In West and Southside Chicago Communities

February 18, 2022 | No Comments

Mignonne Barnes, KRA Program Director, reports, “Strong community partnerships ensure that the Westside American Job Center and the Chatham Education and Workforce Center [both operated for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership] continue to provide WIOA Adult Services for every eligible jobseeker in our communities.” Recently, she met with Ivory Snow, Chief Administer Officer, St. Leonard’s Ministries (SLM), and other staff, to explore mutual goals related to technical and soft skills training resulting in job-placement opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. In addition to the social stigma generally attached to returning citizens, many present multiple challenges related to homelessness, mental illness, racial
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