BATON ROUGE — High school students in Baton Rouge could soon have a new way to earn income, build skills and prepare for life after graduation through a planned paid construction apprenticeship program from unCommon Construction, supported by grants from Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation (Louisiana Blue Foundation).
Based in New Orleans, unCommon Construction is working to bring its unique workforce development model to Baton Rouge by building the local partnerships and program structure needed to create more paid, work-based learning opportunities for students.
Through the unCommon Apprenticeship program, high school students aged 16-20 from different schools earn hourly pay and school credit as they learn to build a house and complete construction projects. The revenue from each project they complete is used to match apprentice earnings with an “Equity Award” scholarship they can use for further education, industry certifications, or the tools needed for a full-time job.
Through the program, apprentices develop skills and relationships that are as enduring as the projects they build together. Since its founding in 2015, 100 percent of apprentices who completed the unCommon Construction program have graduated from high school. Replicating these results could have a significant impact on students in Baton Rouge, where many young people face real barriers to opportunity. In some schools, graduation rates are as low as 63 percent, and across Louisiana, many young people ages 16 to 24 are neither in school nor working. For students who need real-world experience to stay engaged and build toward a future, paid career pathways can make a meaningful difference.
“This effort is about creating a real pathway for young people who are ready to work and learn,” said Aaron Frumin, founder and CEO of unCommon Construction. “We want students in Baton Rouge to have the chance to gain experience, earn income and see a future for themselves in a strong career.”
Currently, about 95 percent of unCommon Construction’s New Orleans apprentices enrolled in continuing education programs or were employed within three months of high school graduation. The organization will work with schools, workforce partners and employers in Baton Rouge to shape a program that responds to local needs and ensures successful replication of outcomes for Baton Rouge students.
The effort is supported in part by the Louisiana Blue Foundation, which invests in work that addresses the conditions that influence health and well-being, including access to economic opportunity.
“Opportunities like this matter because they help connect young people to real pathways forward,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Louisiana Blue Foundation. “By supporting partners like unCommon Construction, we’re helping create more ways for students in Baton Rouge to gain experience, build skills and move toward stable, meaningful work.”
Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation has also committed funding support towards unCommon Construction’s expansion in alignment with their focus on improving the lives of citizens throughout the Greater Baton Rouge community.
“A vital economy is one that includes strategies to increase workforce pathways, build wealth, and stimulate opportunities for economic growth,” said David Beach, Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation president and CEO. “unCommon Construction’s impact in New Orleans has opened doors for hundreds of young people who face barriers to high-wage employment and we want to bring those opportunities to disinvested areas such as North Baton Rouge.”
By building the partnerships and structure needed to launch and sustain the program, unCommon Construction is working to create a lasting pathway for Baton Rouge students to gain experience, build skills and move toward long-term stability. To learn more about unCommon Construction, visit their website at www.uncommonconstruction.org.
About unCommon Construction
unCommon Construction (uCC) is a nonprofit that empowers youth with the skills, networks, resources, and experience to lead the workforce. Through their construction apprenticeship program, high school students earn hourly pay, funding awards, and school credits by working alongside a diverse team of peers, educators, and industry professionals to build a house or other construction project. Through hands-on training, leadership opportunities, and professional development, uCC prepares students to succeed in the construction industry and beyond. Since its founding in 2015, uCC has created approximately 650 apprenticeship roles that have collectively earned over $800,000 in net pay and awards. uCC operates in the Twin Cities and New Orleans, where they recently opened the unCommon Campus to expand their programming to adults and youth of all ages and to serve as its Innovation Hub for national replication to new communities. To learn more, please visit http://www.uncommonconstruction.org, or visit our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook (@uncommonconstruction).
About Louisiana Blue Foundation
The Louisiana Blue Foundation makes grants to improve health outcomes for Louisiana’s people. Its grant programs are particularly focused on the social determinants of health, which are the everyday circumstances that influence a person’s health. Since 2020, the Foundation has made more than $45 million in grants to nonprofits addressing public health, COVID-19 response, and natural disasters. The Foundation also facilitates connections between the communities, leaders, and everyday people who are working to make life better for their friends, families, and neighbors. We invite you to learn more by reading our most recent annual report.
About Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation
Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation strives to ensure those most in need have the education, skills, and resources necessary to achieve their full potential. Huey and Angelina Wilson established the Foundation with a focus on enriching the lives of the people of the Baton Rouge area. The Foundation believes when people have their healthcare, education and basic needs met they can be self-sufficient, productive, and successful members of society. Since 2000 the Foundation has invested more than $94 million in causes throughout the 10-parish capital region. Learn more at www.hawilsonfoundation.org.