HDA Accepting Applications for Internship
Paid summer internship open to local high school graduates
HAZARD, Ky. (April 19, 2022) – An enriching summer work opportunity is available for local youth.
Local high school graduates, who are at least 18 years old and will graduate from a high school in Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, or Perry Counties in 2022 or graduated in 2020 or 2021, are encouraged to apply for the Housing Development Alliance’s (HDA) summer internship by April 30, 2022.
For those graduating in 2022, the applicant must turn 18 by June 6.
The 8-week internship runs from June 6 through the end of July. Four positions are available for youth looking for a paid internship opportunity in the construction trade.
“HDA is excited to welcome our 2022 summer interns to expand their knowledge of home construction and repair, while making friendships and professional connections that could last a lifetime. With pandemic restrictions being lifted and our work sites opening back up for interns and volunteers, we look forward to having another successful summer teaching local youth more about construction careers and affordable housing.”
HDA’s REACH Summer Internship provides participants an opportunity to gain real-world experience in the construction trade by working alongside HDA’s on-staff carpenters. In addition, the internship allows them to network with HDA’s local subcontractors. Now in its second year, HDA’s internship has worked successfully with local high school students, preparing them to work in construction, which is facing a labor shortage nationwide.
Last summer, HDA’s interns helped the agency increase its production following a slow and challenging year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interns on HDA’s new home construction and home repair crews helped construct 9 new homes and completed 7 home rehabs, which pushed the agency’s yearly production total to 22 affordable new homes built and 42 home repairs completed.
HDA’s director of construction was so impressed with one of the interns that the agency hired the young man for a full-time position.
“I was very pleased with last year’s interns. One of them did so well that we hired him full-time, and he’s been with us ever since. Without this internship, we wouldn’t have known about him. This young man came straight out of high school, didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life, and discovered that he loved carpentry because of this internship. And it’s a win for both of us!”
Funded in part and made possible by grants from the Berea College Appalachian Fund and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, HDA’s paid summer internship invests in the local community by connecting young people to the skills, resources, and experience needed to succeed in the local workforce. Not only does it offer an opportunity for local youth to learn the construction trade, but the internship also helps local people in need of affordable housing and allows the interns to earn money they can save for future work and educational opportunities.
The 2022 participants will work on the construction of at least 2 new homes and 5-7 home rehabs, gaining hands-on experience on work sites in various locations in HDA’s four-county service area. No prior construction experience is required.
HDA’s summer interns are paid $10 per hour by interning 40 hours per four-day work week.
Apply Now
Interested applicants can apply online by clicking the button below. For questions about the internship, call the HDA office at 606-436-0497 or email info@housing-development-authority.websitepro.hosting.
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