Ferguson Construction forms new partnership with ISUS

June 2009

Ferguson Construction has formed an internship program with ISUS (Improved Solutions for Urban Systems, Inc.) to give ISUS students construction experience in commercial construction. Ferguson Construction has been providing commercial construction services in Ohio and Indiana since 1920. ISUS was started in 1992 by Founder and President Ann Higdon in response to a high dropout rate in Dayton.

ISUS is a one-of-a-kind charter school that targets students who have dropped out of traditional high school or are at risk of dropping out. Students who attend ISUS graduate with high school diplomas and can also earn college credits while training in trades such as construction, advanced manufacturing and health care.

“This partnership with ISUS is part of Ferguson’s continuing commitment to the Dayton community, and the entire Miami Valley region,” said Ferguson President Martin L. Given. “Ferguson Construction is pleased to be involved with ISUS and provide internship opportunities for its students. Everyone involved is working hard at making this program a win-win for the students at ISUS as well as the Dayton community.”

ISUS had already established a strong program in residential construction when the decision was made to add commercial construction. “ISUS students have built 60 homes in the Wolf Creek Neighborhood in Dayton,” according to Dave Burch, Vice President of Programs for ISUS. “Partnering with Ferguson expands our construction program and gives us the ability to offer residential as well as commercial construction,” said Burch.

“In every urban area large numbers of urban youth, mostly minorities, are dropping out,” said Higdon. “In a time when business and industry has an increasing appetite for the educated, skilled worker these young adults are opting out with no education and no skills. Years ago you could go work on an assembly line for a manufacturer and it wasn’t so important. ISUS was founded to try and counteract the high dropout rate and give these young people employable skills,” said Higdon.

The ISUS facility at 140 N. Keowee St. includes a panel factory to build the walls for the construction program, which is computer run. The goal of the panel factory is to teach the students how to operate computers that operate machinery. The panel plant can produce all of the walls for up to 7 – 2000 sq. ft. homes in one day.

Ferguson Construction’s Human Resources Manager Tom Bergman stated, “partnering with ISUS gives Ferguson a chance to provide internships for young people and get them started in the construction industry. Ferguson and ISUS initially met through a diversity committee at ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors). Ferguson looks for hard-working young people to employ full-time and work in the construction industry,” said Bergman. Ferguson has already hired one ISUS graduate as a full-time employee.

“The overall success of this program depends on the continued dedication and commitment from everyone,” said Ferguson President Martin L. Given. “Ferguson Construction is pleased to be involved in this effort and will continue to look for ways to support the Dayton community in the future.”