Boh Bros. Donates $100K to New Orleans Career Center
NEW ORLEANS – Boh Bros. Construction Co. announced that it has made a $100,000 contribution to the New Orleans Career Center in support of construction industry career preparation and technical training. The Boh Bros. funding is part of the NOLA Coalition’s effort to raise $15 million to invest in youth service organizations in New Orleans. The Coalition says that nearly $5.5 million of the three-year goal has been raised, including $3.9 million of the year-one $5 million goal.
“Boh Bros. is pleased to support the important work of the New Orleans Career Center as it begins operations in its beautiful new space on Kerlerec Street,” said Robert Boh, chairman and CEO of the company. “Giving young New Orleanians the opportunity to receive construction industry career preparation and technical training will provide our high school graduates an awareness of the options they have to shape their future. We encourage our industry peers to join us in making the Career Center a big success.”
The New Orleans Career Center hopes to transform the lives of high school and adult students through career preparation and technical skills training which help participants earn industry-based credentials for employment in high-wage, high-demand industry sectors. NOCC graduates gain the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to begin or continue a prosperous career in New Orleans.
“On behalf of The NOLA Coalition, we commend Boh Bros. for their investment in the New Orleans Career Center,” said Michael Hecht of GNO Inc., one of the organizers of the NOLA Coalition. “Companies like Boh Bros. are demonstrating the win/win of investing in our youth, while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”
The NOLA Coalition now consists of over 510 members, and is pursuing a dual platform: support for public safety, and investment in youth services. The Boh Bros. donation is part of the second plank, wherein over 30 Orleans Parish youth service providers have already been funded.
Donations in support of the NOLA Coalition can be made directly to nonprofits, or via the Greater New Orleans Foundation here.
“We’re enormously grateful to Boh Bros. for this gift and for their collaboration,” said Claire Jecklin, CEO of NOCC. “This will enable us to outfit our carpentry, electrical, welding, and machining labs with professional-grade tools and equipment.” NOCC accepts sophomores, juniors and seniors from all Orleans Parish high schools who are on track to graduate. Trainees spend half the school day at NOCC and half at their home high schools for the full school year.
Industry and employer partnerships inform all NOCC career and technical education pathways. For the skilled trades, NOCC sought the input of area construction professionals, trade unions, and trade training programs to inform the design of training spaces and skills being taught. Four labs surround a covered, outdoor collaborative courtyard where the trainees will work on projects together.
