Partnership between Rochester Urban League’s YouthBuild program and US Ceiling Corp aims to bolster and diversify construction community, and help at-risk young adults and priority populations transition to workforce and fill demand for skilled tradespeople
ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 16, 2019 – On Tuesday,
April 23, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) will
tour a skilled trades training and workforce development center dedicated to serving
at-risk young adults and priority populations in the Greater Rochester area. The
4,000 SF space located at 439 Central Avenue is shared by the Urban League of Rochester’s YouthBuild
program and Webster-based
subcontractor, US Ceiling Corp, whose joint mission is to foster and promote
diversity in construction, and empower lives.
“The
training center is a vital contribution that continues to bolster the community
and cultivate a new generation of skilled trades workers,” says Morelle. “The only way New
York State can secure its building future is by enhancing the skill sets of our
existing construction workforce and having highly motivated and qualified
workers in the pipeline.”
“The nation’s ability to
reconnect unemployed and undereducated young adults is essential for economic
productivity,” says John Valverde, CEO of YouthBuild USA. “YouthBuild is a
movement of young leaders working to make a change in their lives and their
communities, and it wouldn’t be possible without continued bipartisan support
for the Department of Labor YouthBuild grant program. Thank you, Congressman
Joseph Morelle, for demonstrated support of YouthBuild and for believing in the
power of our young people.”
“I want to thank Congressman Morelle for
his continued commitment to the Rochester community and staunch support of our
organization and its programs,” says William G. Clark, outgoing president and CEO of the Urban League of
Rochester. We are
encouraged by his leadership as we work to help at-risk and underrepresented
individuals gain access to hands-on, in-demand training that can transform
their lives.”
“Our company’s success is due in large part
to the support and opportunities provided us by the Urban League of Rochester’s
Small Business Expansion Program and Economic Development Corporation,” says US
Ceiling Corp President Melissa Geska. As such, I am deeply committed to not
only enhancing the skills and capacity of our diverse workforce through our USC
Academy, but also reaching back to help others in our community who want to
build a better future for themselves through the skilled trades.”
YouthBuild
Rochester serves disadvantaged and at-risk young adults aged 18 to 24. Using a
dual-program model that combines academic instruction and skills training,
participants work toward the completion of a high school diploma or GED and
earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand construction trades while
gaining hands-on experience.
To
date, the shared training space has accommodated two YouthBuild cohorts and continues
to serve individuals who take part in the Urban League of Rochester’s Urban
Apprentice Jobs Training and Reentry programs, as well as US Ceiling Corp
employees enrolled in the company’s USC Academy.
About the Urban League of Rochester
The Urban League of Rochester (ULR) was founded in 1965 as an affiliate of the National Urban League and has run the YouthBuild program since 1996. ULR is also an affiliate of the nationally recognized YouthBuild USA Network, which provides support and a learning network for YouthBuild program staff across the country.
About US Ceiling Corp
Founded in 2001, US Ceiling Corp is a NYS Certified M/WDBE subcontracting firm that offers extensive
experience in commercial, multifamily and residential
construction, including acoustical ceilings and drywall; insulation and air
barrier systems; metal stud and wood framing; finished carpentry and general
trades; and construction management. The Webster, N.Y.-based firm’s consistent
stability
and growth stem from the hard work and dedication
demonstrated across its expanding footprint,
allowing a broad reach of services for local and out-of-town
projects. With an unwavering commitment to diversify the construction industry,
US
Ceiling Corp is committed to empowering the Rochester community and partners
with like-minded organizations in the area, including Rochester Urban League’s
YouthBuild Program, to provide skilled training and employment opportunities.
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US Ceiling Corp President Melissa Geska has been named a 2018 Rochester Business Person of the Year finalist. Geska founded the firm in 2001 with her husband Ed and has worked tirelessly to break down barriers and open doors for minorities and women in the construction industry. You can access today’s Rochester Business Journal supplement with Geska’s interview here: 
US Ceiling returned to participate in this year’s Junior Builder’s Exchange (JBX) annual “Kickball for a Cause” charity tournament. Nearly a dozen teams competed in the event, which was held October 13 in Rochester’s Ellison Park.
We are thrilled to be featured in this month’s issue of ROBEX Magazine for our work on the prestigious corporate headquarters of Bergmann Associates, located in Tower280 Midtown. Thank you to the Builders Exchange of Rochester and to Fahy-Williams Publishing for the great spotlight! Access the July 2018 issue here: