Release

Grant Bolsters Transportation Industry

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 2, 2005) - The University at Albany has been awarded a National Summer Transportation Initiatives grant. Participants in the program, current high school sophomores from the Capital District Area, will become a part of the established University at Albany Youth Construction Initiative Program and will participate in activities, including a four week academic residential program designed to provide an introduction to the transportation industry.

The Youth Construction Initiative Program, funded by the New York State Department of Transportation, is a comprehensive partnership between the NYS Department of Transportation and the University at Albany. Its major goal is to prepare motivated high school students for careers in highway construction. In an effort to address the need for a more diverse workforce in the 21st century and to create an awareness of career choices and opportunities that exist in the transportation industry, the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration established this $40,000 educational initiative. There are eight high school sites throughout the state and each has a site coordinator preparing these students. The students are introduced to career counseling, computer, and other technological training, summer job internships, field trips to the colleges of technology, safety training and study skills workshops.

The program includes career exposures to all modes of transportation in the air, land, water and incorporation of safety topics. Hands-on activates such as laboratory activities, project design, construction and testing are included and may culminate with student competition. The grant’s principle investigator is Dr. Carson Carr Jr., associate vice president for Academic Support Services.