Young adults in Cobb County who aren't headed to a four-year college now have a new federally funded pathway into the construction trades.

CobbWorks Inc., the county's workforce development board, will receive $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor's YouthBuild program to offer hands-on construction training paired with GED preparation. The grant, announced July 22 by Cobb County Government, will be delivered through two partners: Construction Ready, which will handle skills training, and Cobb Adult Education, which will provide the classroom instruction and GED coursework.

No college degree required.

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, who wrote a letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in February supporting the application, called the award "a reaffirmation of the transformational impact CobbWorks has on young jobseekers in our community" in the county's July 22 announcement.

Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said in the same announcement that the grant represents "a significant step forward in empowering our youth and enhancing workforce development in Cobb County."

What the program provides

YouthBuild is a U.S. Department of Labor program that funds local organizations to train young people who need an alternative to a traditional college route. Participants learn construction skills on real job sites while earning a GED and building credentials for in-demand careers.

Sonya Grant, executive director and CEO of CobbWorks, said in the July 22 announcement that the program will "expand access to hands-on training, education, and career pathways for youth who need it most, helping them build sustainable, in-demand careers."

CobbWorks operates two American Job Center locations open to Cobb County residents: one at Gritters Library and another at the Cobb WorkSource Center in Mableton. The organization also runs the B.O.S.S. (Building Outstanding Successful Students) Young Professionals Program, which provides educational support and career preparation for eligible young adults.

How to connect

No specific enrollment deadline or program start date for this YouthBuild cycle has been announced. Families and young adults can visit worksourcecobb.org or call 770-528-4300 for updates on eligibility and enrollment.