UA Cossatot announced YouthBuild’s most recent GED^® graduates, Aliaah Ramos and Travis Archer.

Ramos is a graduate from De Queen and plans to enroll at UA Cossatot to study art. Archer is a graduate from Dierks and is currently undecided. Both graduates are continuing in the YouthBuild program to earn their NCCER certification.

“We are so proud of the youth in our program. Some have to overcome many barriers to succeed, and we are trying to provide the necessary services they need to accomplish their goals,” says YouthBuild Case Manager Leslie Daniels.                                                                                                                      

YouthBuild is a Department of Labor grant that was awarded to UA Cossatot in December 2019. The program provides training for the construction trades including carpentry and welding. The program is a career and technical skills leadership program for youth ages 16-24, who have dropped out of school. Students earn stipends while they learn in the classroom and at the worksite and are provided supportive services to eliminate barriers to attend and complete the program. While in the program, students gain educational skills, obtain their GED^® diploma, develop employment skills, and earn their NCCER certification in construction. Students also learn leadership skills and volunteer in the community.

There are currently fifteen active students in the YouthBuild program. Of those, two have earned their GED^® diploma, two have job placements, three are enrolled in college at UA Cossatot, one has earned his NCCER certification, and several are close to earning their GED^® diploma.

YouthBuild graduate mom, Ashley Schulz, states, “I want to thank the YouthBuild staff for giving my son a chance and believing in him. I am so proud of him and will forever be grateful to the program.” 

For more information on UA Cossatot’s YouthBuild program, contact Leslie Daniels at 870-584-1135 or ldaniels@cccua.edu.