Demetrius Allen
green|spaces’ Build It Green workforce development program is celebrating a new cohort of team members and partnerships, as well as interviewing now for the next round of participants for September.
The local program helps build sustainable and resilient lives and neighborhoods from the inside out. Thanks to existing partnerships with AmeriCorps and Build Me A World, plus new opportunities with area industries like Southern Spear Ironworks, team members turn education into real world career experience — while also getting paid.
“The three-year-old program continues to adapt to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19 and also to meet the individualized needs of each team," said program Co-Director Christian Shackelford. "The changes have made it possible to provide more mentorship in addition to thorough skills training.
“Every class represents a new chance and each cohort is uniquely their own. There’s a focus on providing a program that’s always increasing how relevant it is to people’s lives.”
BIG’s holistic approach appealed to 17-year-old Demetrius Allen. The recent Tyner graduate just completed his first month of the program, consisting of intensive, full-time paid training, and is now achieving his goal to learn to weld and work as a tradesman. Now, Demetrius splits his time between BIG’s workshop on Glass Street, Southern Spear Ironworks. Prior to joining the Build It Green team, Demetrius had planned to go through a local welding program, until he found out he could get paid to learn and get connected immediately with employers in his desired field willing to help him achieve his dreams.
“That was just so appealing to me,” he said. “Even though I’m a kid, I’ve had to have grown mentalities. … I had a hard time in school and a lot of people doubted me. I got expelled at one point. I don’t even know how to explain it, other than this program just gave me hope.”
As the youngest team member, Demetrius said it’s been an adjustment to get to work and sacrifice his last after-school summer.
But, he said, then he simply remembers a time a few years ago when he wasn’t certain he’d ever graduate high school, and can be proud of how far he has already come.
“I got to the point at one point where I just gave up, do you know what I mean?” he explained, recalling a time when he was expelled and arrested as a minor. “Seeing your name in the jail work system and then seeing your name on a diploma? It makes me remember I can do anything. I’m surrounding myself with people with the same goals as me now.”
And, Southern Spear is equally eager to welcome Demetrius into their ironworks team and continue to help him develop his desired trade skills.
“Southern Spear Ironworks is proud to partner with green|spaces’ Build It Green program in helping train their team members for new careers,” said Lex Ryan, director of business development. “Providing hands-on training and paid educational opportunities through BIG not only helps strengthen our workforce, but our community as a whole. We’re proud to be a part of that.”
For more information about Build it Green and how to support green|spaces’ programs, visit:
www.greenspaceschattanooga.org/build-it-green-americorps-oysi