Klein Tools has announced a new partnership program with Project H.O.O.D., a nonprofit organization based in the South Side of Chicago that provides training and employment opportunities for community members. Through its new “Pliers Promise” initiative, the Chicago-based manufacturer will provide 15 students in Project H.O.O.D.’s construction program with over $10,000 of Klein Tools products.
“As a long-standing Chicagoland company, the success of our community is very important to us,” says Mark Klein, president of sales and marketing at Klein Tools. “Project H.O.O.D., which is located in Chicago’s underserved Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods, creates programs that help empower Chicagoans to become leaders and entrepreneurs in their communities. By partnering with Project H.O.O.D., Klein Tools is able to connect with those who wish to enter the trades, but don’t have the resources to do so. Together, our organizations will provide opportunities for these neighborhoods and future tradespeople while helping to lessen the skills gap that we are facing today.”
Klein Tools will also offer scholarships to the construction program’s top two graduates for advanced electrical or HVAC training at Chicago’s HVAC Technical Institute. “Each year, we are proud of the hard working students that complete our training programs and start their careers in the trades,” says Mario Recio, director of HVAC Technical Institute. “Our partnership with Project H.O.O.D. and Klein Tools will help us to provide the necessary skills and training to individuals who are looking to advance and succeed in the HVAC and electrical industries. By working together, we will help those who may not have otherwise had the resources to explore new careers and prepare for their own futures.”
Project H.O.O.D.’s 12-week construction program, conducted in partnership with the Illinois Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC-IL), trains young men and women ages 18-24 for trade careers. The organization also provides employment coaching and financial services to students through Preservation of Affordable Housing’s Woodlawn Resource Center, and encourages students to explore a variety of career paths within the construction industry.
All six members of the program’s first August 2017 graduating class have since acquired full-time careers in the trades. Based on the success of the construction program, Project H.O.O.D., Klein Tools and HVAC Technical Institute plan to continue their partnership through 2018.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the leading manufacturer of hand tools for tradespeople,” says Pastor Corey B. Brooks, founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. “Our mission is to equip our community with the resources, skills, tools and experiences needed to be successful. As we continue our work towards ending violence and creating sustainable job and entrepreneurship opportunities in our community, we know Klein Tools’ donations of tools, equipment and scholarships will give our construction program students the opportunity for a bright future in the trades.”
