Woodworker Training program

The Woodworkers training program offered by the Greater West Town Community Development Project is preparing people for a lifetime of employment by using their hands and mastering the equipment. 

Doug Rappe has been an instructor with the program for 30 years. Making things like musical instruments, furniture, and exquisite millwork in a building's lobby, all takes a certain level of skills and training. Rappe says that his students will find that their services and creativity are in demand at a variety of companies that make wood products. Thus, giving them the skills that can guarantee employment for a lifetime. The training has a quick payoff because what they learn they will be able to make and show to their family and friends. 

Darlene Mayoni, one of the key students and members of the program joined because she wanted a career change but that is not the case for the majority of participants. As Darlene puts it, a lot of applicants have some sort of barrier to employment. Many of them were homeless or incarcerated. Executive director Keisha Davis-Johnson says "people come in to learn a skill but ultimately walk away with better self-esteem", "if a person can earn wages, if they feel like they are positive contributors to society, it speaks to a larger picture in terms of just their growth."

The course runs for 15 weeks and mind you, it is quite demanding. The hourly pay for new woodworkers in the US is between $15 and $20 per hour. 

Source: CBS News