[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO INDUSTRY-EDUCATION ALLIANCE

                                 ______


                       HON. THOMAS J. BLILEY, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support and recognize the 
significant achievements of the Industry-Education Alliance [IEA], a 
major training effort to break the cycle of unemployment and government 
assistance by builders and educators in Richmond, VA.
  The IEA is designed to train adult students who are unemployed, 
underemployed, or dislocated from other industries, for lasting careers 
in the homebuilding industry. A coalition for Richmond area and 
national organizations including: the Home Builders Association of 
Richmond; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; the Henrico County 
Public Schools; the Home Builders Institute; the educational arm of the 
National Association of Home Builders; the Partnership for American 
Vocational Education [PAVE]; and the Education and Training Foundation, 
are involved in a unique education initiative to train people to become 
skilled carpentry framers.
  During a 6-month training period, professional builders teach adult 
students the math-related concepts associated with homebuilding and the 
skills necessary to read blueprints and frame homes. Since the start of 
this program, all of the IEA program graduates have been hired by 
Richmond area builders, subcontractors and remodelers, earning on 
average 31 percent above entry level wages.
  This year the IEA celebrates its third anniversary of training adults 
for new careers in America's homebuilding industry. The IEA has been a 
great boon for my State in both its social and economic contributions. 
I am very proud of the Richmond IEA programs and salute them for 
forming one of the Nation's leading school-to-work training models.

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